Vermilion County, IL (March 19, 2025) – A multi-vehicle crash involving multiple semi-trucks on Interstate 74 Wednesday evening claimed the life of 56-year-old Brett Wagner, an Indiana resident.
Accident Details: The collision, which occurred near milepost 215, involved three semi-trucks and an SUV. An earlier incident slowed traffic. According to the Illinois State Police, the crash began when a semi-truck failed to slow down and rear-ended an SUV in the right eastbound lane. The force of the impact pushed the SUV into another semi-truck ahead of it. The initial semi veered into the left lane, sideswiping a third semi-truck before careening off the road and into the median.
Wagner, the driver of the SUV, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The driver of the semi that caused the collision—identified as a man from Philadelphia—was issued a ticket for failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: Rear-end collisions involving semi-trucks are especially dangerous due to commercial vehicles’ massive weight and momentum, which require far more time and distance to come to a safe stop. In this case, the semi-truck driver’s failure to slow for already-slowed traffic allegedly created a deadly chain-reaction crash.
Truck drivers must remain alert, maintain safe following distances, and adapt to road conditions. Failure to do so may be deemed negligent. Investigators will likely review black box data, which may provide critical information on the semi-truck’s speed, braking behavior, and driver actions in the seconds leading up to the crash. They will also assess the driver’s logbooks, checking for fatigue, hours-of-service violations, or any indications the driver had been on duty too long. The condition and maintenance history of the truck may also be scrutinized to rule out any mechanical failures.
If the investigation confirms negligence caused the crash, Wagner’s family members may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. Such a claim could help cover funeral expenses, loss of income, and compensation for the emotional toll of losing a loved one.
I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Brett Wagner.
Source: WCIA