Jacksonville, FL — August 28, 2025, a woman was killed due to a truck accident at approximately 2:00 a.m. along Interstate Highway 10.

According to authorities, a man and a woman—both age 72—were in a sedan attempting to merge from the eastbound shoulder of I-10 back into the active lanes of the interstate in the vicinity of I-195 when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, a collision took place between the sedan and the rear side of an 18-wheeler. Following the initial collision, the sedan apparently also crashed into a road sign post. The woman—who had been a passenger in the sedan—reportedly sustained fatal injuries over the course of the accident. The man who had been behind the wheel received minor injuries, as well, according to reports. 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 collision happens during a merge between a car and an 18-wheeler, the key issue isn’t just that two vehicles struck each other—it’s how that merge unfolded. Was the truck already occupying the lane when the sedan tried to reenter traffic? Did the truck driver have time and space to move over? Or did one or both drivers simply misjudge the distance?

Merging scenarios like this are rarely as simple as they first appear. At highway speeds, the difference between a safe merge and a devastating crash often comes down to just a few seconds of reaction time. That’s why investigators need to look closely at evidence that goes beyond the visible damage:

• The truck’s ECM can show its speed and braking right before impact.
• Dash cam footage—if available—can confirm whether the merging vehicle was visible.
• Cellphone records for both drivers can answer whether distraction played a role.

The time of day is also an important factor. At 2:00 a.m., fatigue, reduced visibility, and slower reaction times are all risks that need to be ruled in or out. And while investigators often focus on driver actions, company oversight is just as relevant. Did the trucking company schedule its driver in a way that pushed the limits of safe operation? Was the driver trained to anticipate and adjust for vehicles merging from the shoulder?

None of these questions are answered yet, but they’re the ones that will determine accountability. What the public sees in early reports is only the outline—the real answers come from a thorough investigation of both human decisions and the mechanical evidence.

Key Takeaways:

• The critical issue is how the merge occurred, not just that a collision happened.
• Evidence like ECM data, dash cams, and cellphone records can reveal the drivers’ actions in the moments before impact.
• Conditions at 2:00 a.m. raise additional questions about visibility and fatigue.
• Company policies on scheduling, training, and driver oversight may be as important as individual conduct.
• Accountability depends on evidence, not assumptions, about how the merge was handled.