Brevard County, FL — July 26, 2025, one person was killed and another one was injured in a truck accident at about 8:45 a.m. on southbound Interstate 95.

Authorities said a pickup crashed into a semi-truck that was parked on the outside shoulder of the interstate near mile marker 230. The impact forced it back onto the highway, where it collided with a sedan.

The pickup driver, a 74-year-old man from Fort Pierce, died after being taken to a nearby hospital, according to authorities. His name has not been made public yet.

The driver of the sedan, a 74-year-old New Smyrna Beach woman, was hospitalized with serious injuries after the crash near Mims, authorities said.

The truck driver and his passenger were not hurt, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Brevard County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Moments of tragedy on the highway often raise more questions than answers, especially when multiple vehicles are involved and the chain of events spans several seconds across moving and stationary targets. It's in these moments that deeper scrutiny matters most, not only to understand what happened but to ensure accountability isn't lost in the chaos.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? In a crash involving a stationary semi-truck and multiple vehicles, the quality of the investigation makes all the difference. Did officers reconstruct the truck’s position on the shoulder and confirm it was fully off the roadway before the collision? Did they examine whether the pickup’s path indicated distraction, a medical issue or a sudden swerve? Proper mapping of tire marks, impact angles and vehicle final rest positions can reveal a lot, but that level of detail requires more than a surface-level review. It’s not uncommon for investigations to depend too heavily on witness accounts and overlook physical evidence, especially if officers lack advanced crash reconstruction training.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Any time a vehicle suddenly leaves its lane and strikes something on the shoulder, it’s fair to ask whether a mechanical issue played a role. Was the pickup’s steering or braking system functioning properly? Could a stuck accelerator, tire blowout or sensor failure have made the vehicle veer off course? These aren’t questions that can be answered by glancing under the hood; they require a detailed mechanical inspection that doesn’t always happen, especially when there's no immediate sign of failure.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Vehicle electronics offer a timeline that witnesses can’t. The pickup may hold data showing whether the driver hit the brakes, swerved suddenly or experienced a loss of control. The sedan and the semi-truck might also provide clues through GPS logs or dashcam footage. Even traffic cameras or nearby dashcams from other drivers could fill in gaps. But gathering this digital trail requires prompt action since data can be lost if not preserved early.

When a crash leaves behind severe injuries and unanswered questions, the need for a deeper dive becomes urgent. It’s not just about assigning fault; it’s about uncovering whether something preventable was missed, and if so, making sure it doesn’t happen again.

Key Takeaways:

• Not all crash investigations are created equal; thorough work often separates clarity from confusion.
• Mechanical failures can trigger crashes without leaving obvious clues.
• Electronic data from all vehicles involved can reveal what really happened, but it must be secured quickly.