Chicago, IL — July 6, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 1:30 a.m. in the 8100 block of West Belmont Avenue in Dunning.

Authorities said a westbound vehicle collided with an SUV before crashing into a parked semi-truck.

The driver, a 37-year-old woman, died after being transported to a local hospital, according to authorities. Her name has not been made public yet.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still being investigated.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone hears that a vehicle hit an SUV and then crashed into a parked semi-truck, the first question they often ask is: How did that sequence of events unfold? Unfortunately, based on what’s been made public so far, there are still a lot of unanswered questions that will determine where responsibility ultimately lies.

The reports say a westbound vehicle struck an SUV and then hit a parked 18-wheeler, resulting in the driver’s death. But depending on where and how the semi was parked, very different legal issues could be in play. Was it parked on the shoulder? In a live lane of traffic? Illegally in a residential or commercial area? That distinction matters a great deal. A parked truck may seem like a passive object, but if it was left in a hazardous spot without proper warnings, that could be a contributing factor in the crash.

We also don’t yet know whether the SUV was moving or stationary at the time of impact. Did it pull into the victim’s path unexpectedly? Was it struck from behind? Depending on how that part of the crash played out, the SUV’s driver might have played a larger role, or none at all. These questions can only be answered by reconstructing the crash using physical evidence, surveillance footage, dash cams and possibly data from the truck’s engine control module (ECM).

Another key factor is visibility. This happened at 1:30 in the morning, when lighting conditions are less than ideal. If the truck was parked in a dark area without reflective triangles, hazard lights or other warnings, then even a cautious driver might not have seen it in time to avoid it. I’ve seen cases where parked 18-wheelers acted like immovable hazards that unsuspecting drivers had no realistic chance of avoiding; not because they weren’t paying attention, but because the truck wasn’t where it should have been.

That’s why it’s critical to examine every aspect of a crash like this; not just what happened in the final moments, but how the conditions were set in motion. That means looking at everything from driver behavior and road conditions to whether the truck company followed proper parking protocols and safety procedures. In my experience, the truth is rarely as simple as “someone swerved and hit a truck.” It takes a thorough investigation to understand all the moving parts.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s unclear whether the SUV was moving or stopped when the crash happened; this affects who may be responsible.
• The parked semi-truck’s location and visibility will be crucial to understanding its role in the wreck.
• Evidence like ECM data, dash cams and crash scene photos will be key to determining how the crash unfolded.
• Visibility and lighting at 1:30 a.m. raise serious questions about whether the truck was properly marked or lit.
• Getting answers means going beyond police reports and into a full investigation of all contributing factors.