Nashville, Tennessee (December 8, 2025) — A tragic commercial-vehicle crash on I-24 West near the I-40 split claimed the life of 31-year-old Bolton James Harry-Algeo, a truck driver from Barron, Wisconsin. Metro Nashville police said the collision occurred just before midnight, after traffic ahead of Harry-Algeo slowed abruptly, forcing him to brake hard. The sudden deceleration caused two large steel beams on his trailer to surge forward, break through the cab, and fatally injure him. The truck ultimately came to rest against the left retaining wall. No additional injuries were reported.
Investigation: Crash investigators will now work to determine why the load of steel shifted so violently, because events like this rarely stem from a single cause. Detectives are expected to examine the truck’s securement system, including the condition of the chains, straps, binders, and anchor points used to hold the beams in place. Load securement failures can result from worn or defective equipment, improper tensioning, or inadequate blocking and bracing at the loading site. Investigators will also review whether the weight of the beams was distributed correctly and whether the loading crew followed federal FMCSA cargo-securement standards. Bills of lading, loading manifests, and any surveillance footage from the origin facility may help determine who was responsible for securing the steel and whether that process was done correctly.
The truck’s electronic control module will provide data about speed and braking in the moments before impact, helping investigators understand how the force of sudden deceleration transferred into the trailer. Mechanical inspections of the truck and trailer, including all securement devices, are standard in cases involving catastrophic load shifts. If any equipment failure is discovered, investigators may involve cargo-securement engineers or product specialists to determine whether the failure resulted from misuse, a defect, or normal wear.
Legal Considerations: Fatal load-shift incidents raise complex questions of liability because responsibility may lie with multiple parties. Under federal and Tennessee law, commercial carriers are required to ensure that cargo is properly secured at the beginning of a trip and remains secure throughout the journey. However, truck drivers often rely on third-party shippers or loading crews to secure heavy materials, such as steel beams, in place. If the loading crew failed to follow proper procedures, they may share responsibility for the conditions that led to the load breaking loose. If the equipment used to secure the beams was defective or failed due to regular use, a product liability claim could arise against the manufacturer or distributor of that device.
Harry-Algeo’s death underscores the devastating consequences of improper loading or equipment malfunction. Wrongful death claims in cases like this often involve detailed expert analysis of load-securement techniques, mechanical inspections, and industry compliance standards. While no legal outcome can undo the loss, the investigation may help his family secure answers.
My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of Bolton James Harry-Algeo during this heartbreaking time.
Source: WKRN