Fuller County, IL — November 17, 2025, two people were injured in a truck accident just before 11 a.m. on U.S. Route 52 south of Plattville.

Authorities said a Kenworth tanker truck and a Volkswagen sedan crashed head-on near the intersection with Grove Road. The truck jackknifed into the ditch after the collision.

Two people were injured in the crash, according to authorities, but it is not clear how they were involved in the accident.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Fuller County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people hear about a head-on collision between a tanker truck and a passenger car, one question immediately comes to mind: how did two vehicles traveling in opposite directions end up in each other’s path? That’s not something that happens without a serious breakdown somewhere, whether in decision-making, vehicle control or mechanical function.

From what’s been reported, a Kenworth tanker and a Volkswagen collided on U.S. Route 52, and the truck jackknifed into a ditch afterward. Two people were hurt, but authorities haven’t said who they were, whether they were in the truck or the car or what led to the crash. With so many blanks left to fill in, it’s hard to draw conclusions, but not hard to know what questions matter most.

The big one is whether the truck crossed into the car’s lane or vice versa. Everything hinges on that. If the truck veered out of its lane, the focus needs to be on what was going on in the cab at the time. Was the driver distracted? Was he fatigued? Did the truck have a dash cam or in-cab monitoring system that recorded his actions? Engine control module (ECM) data can also show when the driver hit the brakes, how fast he was going and whether any sudden steering inputs were made before the crash.

If, on the other hand, the sedan crossed into the truck’s path, that raises a whole different set of issues. Even in that case, though, the truck’s response matters. Was there enough time to take evasive action? Did the truck’s condition — brakes, steering, suspension — allow the driver to respond properly? These are not the kinds of questions that get answered by a highway patrol write-up. They require expert analysis of the physical evidence and onboard data.

Another unknown here is whether the cargo played any role. This was a tanker, which usually means liquid cargo. Depending on how full the tank was, liquid surge could affect handling during braking or sudden maneuvers. If the truck jackknifed after the crash, was that a result of the collision—or did the jackknife come first and help cause the crash? We don’t know yet.

I’ve seen cases where surface-level facts didn’t match what the evidence later showed. That’s why it’s critical not to jump to conclusions. Whether this was a driver mistake, a mechanical failure or something else entirely, the truth will only come out if someone with the right tools and access investigates thoroughly.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s not clear whether the truck or the sedan crossed into oncoming traffic. Each scenario raises different legal questions.
• Critical evidence like dash cam footage, ECM data and driver cell phone records can clarify what the truck driver was doing before the crash.
• The role of liquid cargo in the tanker may be relevant, especially if surge contributed to the truck jackknifing.
• Jackknife timing matters: Did it happen as a result of the collision, or did it occur first and cause the wreck?
• A full investigation is needed to uncover who’s truly responsible and how this crash unfolded.