Collinsville, IL — October 5, 2025, one person was killed and one was injured due to a truck accident at about 3:00 a.m. along Interstate Highway 55.

According to authorities, the accident took place in the northbound lanes of I-55 in the vicinity south of the Fairmont Avenue intersection.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a collision occurred between an 18-wheeler and a pickup truck. Both vehicles apparently caught on fire over the course of the accident. The person who had been behind the wheel of the pickup truck—reportedly suffered fatal injuries and was declared deceased at the scene. The truck driver suffered injuries of unknown severity, as well; they were transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identities of the victims—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash leaves one person dead and another hospitalized, people want to understand what led to such a devastating outcome. But so far, we’re left with more questions than answers—especially about how and why an 18-wheeler and a pickup collided in the early morning hours and caught fire. At 3:00 a.m., visibility is low, fatigue is common, and mistakes can turn deadly fast. But guessing isn’t good enough. We need hard evidence to determine what actually happened.

The most urgent question is what each driver was doing in the seconds before the crash. Was the pickup truck stopped or stalled in the roadway? Did one vehicle drift into the other’s lane? Without clarity on the sequence of events, it’s impossible to know whether the truck driver caused the crash, tried to avoid it, or was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Those are very different scenarios—and the legal consequences that follow depend entirely on what the facts show.

That’s why the truck’s engine control module (ECM) will be a key piece of the puzzle. It can tell us the truck’s speed, braking behavior, and steering inputs immediately before impact. If available, dash cam footage can show the road ahead—or the cab interior—and may confirm whether the driver was alert or distracted.

It’s also worth considering whether driver fatigue played a role. Early-morning hours are statistically some of the most dangerous for truck drivers, especially if they’ve been on the road for long stretches. That raises questions about the driver’s hours-of-service records, dispatch logs, and whether the trucking company was pushing him to meet a deadline at the expense of safety.

The fire adds another layer of concern. Was it caused by the impact alone, or did something about how one or both vehicles were maintained or loaded contribute to the severity of the outcome? That’s another avenue a proper investigation should explore.

Key Takeaways:

• It's still unclear how the crash happened or which vehicle may have initiated the collision.
• ECM data, dash cam footage, and driver logs could be essential in reconstructing the truck's actions.
• Whether fatigue, distraction, or mechanical issues were factors remains unanswered at this time.
• The fire raises questions about vehicle maintenance or cargo configuration that may have worsened the crash.
• Getting to the truth requires a full investigation into both driver behavior and company practices leading up to the crash.