Shelby, MS — August 6, 2025, Vonta Dorsey was killed in a truck accident at about 9 a.m. on southbound U.S. Route 61.

Authorities said a Peterbilt semi-truck was heading south when it collided with a 2009 Lincoln MKZ that had been going west on State Highway 32.

The driver of the Lincoln, 46-year-old Shelby resident Vonta L. Dorsey, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver was not hurt, authorities said.

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

Commentary

When people hear about a deadly crash between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle, the first question they often ask is, “How could something like this happen at a highway intersection?” That’s the right question. It’s also one that isn’t answered yet by the limited information available.

From what’s been reported, a Peterbilt 18-wheeler was heading south on U.S. Route 61 when it collided with a car traveling west on State Highway 32. The collision killed the driver of the car. Authorities haven’t said anything about what led up to the crash; no mention of who had the right of way, whether either driver ran a stoplight or stop sign or even how fast either vehicle was going. All of that leaves key questions unanswered.

One of the biggest variables here is timing. Did the car pull out in front of the truck, or was the truck already entering the intersection when the car was crossing? Without knowing that, it’s impossible to fairly judge who, if anyone, made a mistake. That’s not something we can figure out from debris patterns alone, especially not at a highway-speed intersection. To get real answers, someone’s going to need to dig into harder evidence: dash cams, traffic signal records (if any), cell phone data and the truck’s engine control module, which records details like speed, braking and throttle position in the seconds before a crash.

It's also not clear what kind of visibility the truck driver had at the intersection. Could overgrown foliage, sun glare or poor signage have made it harder for either driver to see the other? If so, the blame might not fall solely on the people behind the wheel. Intersection crashes often involve a web of contributing factors: driver behavior, road design, timing and vehicle conditions.

Depending on whether the truck had a green light, was already in the intersection or was simply going too fast to stop, different questions arise. On the other hand, if the car driver mistimed a turn or failed to yield, that would change the scope of the inquiry. The point is, you can’t figure out what went wrong until someone reconstructs exactly how each vehicle got to that point in space and time.

In my experience, that level of analysis only happens when someone pushes for it. Otherwise, critical questions about driver behavior, vehicle condition and even employer oversight tend to go unanswered. And without that scrutiny, we’re left to guess at the truth instead of knowing it.

Key Takeaways:

• Authorities haven’t yet explained how the collision occurred or who may have had the right of way.
• Evidence like dash cams, ECM data and traffic light records will be crucial to understanding what happened.
• Depending on whether the truck or the car entered the intersection improperly, different parties may bear responsibility.
• Intersection visibility and timing are common but often overlooked factors in highway crashes.
• Thorough investigations, beyond police reports, are often necessary to get the full picture.