Randolph County, IL — February 28, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 5:30 a.m. on County Line Road north of Cutler.

Authorities said a pickup was traveling north near Jack Rabbit Road when it crashed head-on with a semi-truck.

The pickup driver, whose name has not been made public at this time, died in the crash.

No other injuries were reported.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a pickup collides head-on with a semi-truck, people often assume the smaller vehicle's driver must have made a mistake. That may turn out to be true, but assumptions don’t take the place of a real investigation. The key question is why the crash happened, and answering that requires looking beyond just who was in what lane.

One of the first things investigators need to determine is whether the pickup crossed the center line or if the truck drifted into oncoming traffic. If the pickup veered into the truck’s path, what caused that? Did something in the road force the driver to swerve? Mechanical failure, like a blown tire or steering issue, is also a possibility.

If the truck drifted, investigators should examine the driver’s history, work schedule and the truck’s electronic data. Fatigue remains one of the most common causes of early-morning truck crashes, and if the driver had been on the road for an extended period, that could have been a factor.

Road conditions also matter. At 5:30 a.m., it was likely still dark. Were the road markings clear? Was there fog, ice, or another factor affecting visibility? Many rural roads lack proper lighting, which can make it harder for drivers to judge distances and stay in their lane.

Crashes like this one are rarely as simple as they first appear. A proper investigation should look at all the factors involved, not just the obvious ones. Without that deeper look, there’s no way to ensure accountability for the victim's family