Merry Hill, NC (September 30, 2025) – A Colerain man, 52-year-old James Hughson, was killed Tuesday morning when his pickup collided with a tractor-trailer that was backing into a driveway along Blackrock Road in the Merry Hill area, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Accident Details: Troopers said the crash occurred around 6:00 a.m. as a big rig began backing a trailer into a private driveway on Blackrock Road. As the maneuver was underway, a southbound pickup driven by Mr. Hughson struck the trailer and became lodged beneath it. Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but Mr. Hughson was pronounced dead at the scene. The roadway was partially closed for roughly four hours while first responders rendered aid, managed traffic, and investigators documented evidence across the travel lanes and driveway entrance.
Investigation: Highway Patrol identified the tractor-trailer driver as a Merry Hill resident who was backing the unit at the time of impact. Investigators are evaluating whether the backing procedure provided adequate clearance and warning, including the potential use of hazard flashers, a spotter, reflective devices, or cones. Standard commercial-vehicle protocol also includes reviewing hours-of-service logs, lighting and conspicuity equipment, brake and underride protection condition, and any available dash-cam or nearby surveillance video. Reconstruction typically assesses approach speed, sight distance, and the angle of the trailer relative to the travel lane to determine how the pickup came to travel under the trailer and whether either driver could have avoided the collision.
Legal Considerations: When a tractor-trailer is engaged in a backing maneuver across or into the travel way, questions often arise about lookout, lane encroachment, and whether the carrier and driver followed safe-backing procedures. Surviving family members may consider a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for funeral expenses, loss of support, and other damages. Preserving evidence—ECM/EDR downloads, scene photographs, lighting measurements before dawn, and witness statements—can be critical to determining liability. Depending on the findings, responsibility may extend to the motor carrier if training, supervision, or maintenance deficiencies contributed to the crash.
My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of James Hughson during this difficult time.
Source: WITN