Sacramento County, CA — January 21, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 8:30 a.m. on Interstate 5/West Side Highway.

Authorities said a northbound sedan crashed into the rear of a semi-truck parked on shoulder of the interstate near Twin Cities Road. Both vehicles caught fire after the crash near Walnut Grove.

The sedan driver, whose name has not been made public at this time, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities, while the truck driver was not injured.

Authorities have not released any additional information about crash. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Crashes involving vehicles stopped on the shoulder of a highway often spark debate about who is to blame. Many people might instinctively fault the sedan driver for hitting a parked truck, but from a legal perspective, the situation is far more nuanced. In my experience, collisions like this demand a closer look at why the truck was stopped and whether it was parked appropriately.

Highway shoulders are generally intended for emergencies. If a truck driver pulls over due to a mechanical failure or a medical issue, that may be unavoidable. However, it’s not uncommon to find trucks stopped for reasons that don’t meet this standard. For example, some drivers stop to rest or check their cargo without realizing the dangers this creates for other motorists. The first step in any investigation should be to determine whether the truck’s presence on the shoulder was justified and whether the driver took appropriate precautions, such as using hazard lights or placing warning triangles.

The condition of the truck also deserves scrutiny. Was the truck disabled due to a preventable maintenance issue, like a flat tire or brake failure? If so, responsibility may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company for failing to maintain their vehicle properly.

Another critical issue in this crash is the resulting fire. While vehicle fires are not uncommon in severe collisions, they’re not always inevitable. Fires can be caused or exacerbated by design flaws, particularly in exposed fuel systems. This is especially true in commercial trucks, which often have side-mounted fuel tanks that lack significant protection. A thorough investigation should include an examination of both vehicles to determine if a defect played a role in the fire’s outbreak or spread.

Finally, it’s important to evaluate the surrounding conditions at the time of the crash. Was visibility poor due to fog or glare? Were there roadway design issues that contributed to the sedan driver’s inability to avoid the parked truck? These factors can often explain why a seemingly avoidable crash occurred.

Crashes like this highlight why it’s essential to go beyond the crash scene in an investigation. Without examining the truck driver’s actions, the trucking company’s policies, the vehicles’ conditions and the environment, we may never fully understand what led to this loss of life. The affected family deserves to know as much as possible about what caused this crash.