San Joaquin County, CA — January 6, 2026, one person was killed due to a rear-end truck accident at approximately 1:30 a.m. along Interstate Highway 580.

According to authorities, one person was traveling in a northwest bound Volvo 18-wheeler on I-580 in the vicinity southeast of International Parkway when the accident took place.

Traffic in the area had apparently slowed to a stop. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a collision occurred between the front-end of the Volvo 18-wheeler and the rear-end of a second 18-wheeler;s trailer. Both vehicles apparently veered left during the wreck, coming to a stop in the center median.

The person who had been behind the wheel of the Volvo—who had reportedly sustained fatal injuries over the course of the accident—was declared deceased at the scene. It does not appear that anyone else involved was hurt.

Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a truck driver rear-ends another 18-wheeler on the highway, especially in stopped or slowing traffic, the immediate question is: Why didn’t he stop in time? With modern commercial vehicles, there are multiple tools and protocols meant to prevent exactly this kind of fatal outcome—and when those fail, it's usually because something else already did.

At 1:30 in the morning, fatigue has to be considered. That hour falls squarely within what’s known in the industry as the “circadian low,” when alertness is at its lowest and driver reaction times are significantly slower. If the driver was pushing through long hours or running overnight, it raises the question of whether his schedule was legal—and whether it was safe. Reviewing the driver's hours of service logs and electronic logging device (ELD) data will be critical.

But fatigue is only one possible factor. Investigators should also be asking:

• Was the driver distracted? Cell phone records or in-cab footage may show whether he was looking at a screen, reaching for something, or otherwise not watching the road.
• Was the truck properly maintained? Brake wear or delayed response times could have made it impossible to stop in time, even if the driver tried.
• Did visibility play a role? If the lead truck didn’t have functioning tail lights or reflective markings, or if it was stopped unexpectedly in an active lane, the rear driver may not have had a clear warning.
• Did the rear truck have forward collision warning or automatic braking systems? If so, did they fail—or were they disabled?

I've seen more than one case where a trucking company ignored red flags about a driver's fatigue, or where safety systems were disconnected to avoid unwanted alerts. When that kind of neglect leads to a fatal crash, the consequences should fall squarely on those who allowed it.

Still, it’s important not to make assumptions. The stopped truck’s position and lighting, combined with roadway conditions, will also matter. Even professional drivers can’t avoid hazards they can’t see.

Key Takeaways:

• A rear-end crash between two trucks suggests possible inattention, fatigue, or mechanical failure.
• The time of the crash raises concerns about driver fatigue and schedule compliance.
• Evidence like ELD data, cell phone records, and brake system inspections will be essential.
• Investigators must also evaluate whether the lead truck was visible and lawfully stopped.
• Preventing similar incidents depends on identifying why the driver failed to stop—and whether the systems meant to prevent that failure were ignored.