Tippecanoe County, IN — January 14, 2025, two people were injured following a truck accident sometime in the morning along U.S. Highway 52.

According to authorities, an 18-wheeler was traveling northbound on U.S. 52 in the vicinity of C.R. 600 South when the accident took place.

The road conditions in the area at the time were apparently snowy. The 18-wheeler reportedly failed to safely maintain its lane of travel, sliding through the center median and entering the northbound lanes of the highway. There, it was involved in a collision with an oncoming Chrysler Pacifica minivan.

The person who had been behind the wheel of the minivan and one passenger suffered severe injuries, according to reports. It doesn't appear that anyone else was seriously hurt. 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 accidents like this one occur, they often highlight the unique challenges and risks involved in sharing the road with large commercial vehicles. Based on my experience handling truck accident cases, crashes like this are rarely as simple as a truck losing control due to weather conditions. A thorough investigation is almost always required to uncover the factors at play.

One key question in this case is whether the 18-wheeler was being operated safely given the snowy road conditions reported at the time. Federal regulations require truck drivers to adjust their speed and driving behavior to account for hazardous weather. Was the truck traveling at a speed appropriate for the icy or snowy conditions, or was it going too fast to maintain control? If the latter is true, the driver’s decisions may have played a role in causing this collision.

Another important consideration is the condition of the truck itself. Properly maintained brakes, tires, and other safety systems are essential for a truck to operate safely, particularly in poor weather. If the truck had mechanical issues or worn equipment that made it more prone to sliding or losing control, the responsibility may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company. Regular maintenance and inspections are not optional in the trucking industry; they are a legal obligation intended to prevent precisely this kind of scenario.

The trucking company’s oversight of its operations also warrants attention. Were drivers given adequate training on how to handle adverse weather conditions? Did company policies put pressure on the driver to maintain tight schedules, potentially encouraging them to prioritize timeliness over safety? If so, the company may bear responsibility for creating an environment that allowed or even encouraged unsafe practices.

Ultimately, the focus must remain on uncovering the facts of this incident. Every aspect—from driver behavior to equipment condition and company policies—must be scrutinized to determine what led to this crash and whether it could have been avoided. The injured individuals deserve clarity and closure, and if negligence or failure to follow safety protocols played a role, those responsible must be held accountable.