Michael Silver Killed and One Person Injured in an Accident with a Semi-truck on Fergus Road Intersection at Rutherford County in Tennessee

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. – A man is facing multiple charges following a fatal crash Wednesday afternoon at a busy intersection in Rutherford County.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a 2025 Volvo TT was traveling east on Murfreesboro Road when it failed to stop at a red light at the Fergus Road intersection. The vehicle struck a 2012 Ford Fiesta proceeding north through the intersection.

The driver of the Ford, 66-year-old Michael Silver, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead. A 41-year-old passenger in the vehicle was also injured. Authorities confirmed both occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The driver of the Volvo has been charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and driving under the influence.

The Impaired Driver and the Trucking Company Which Hired Him Need to be Held Accountable For their Negligent Actions

An impaired driver should never be on the road. Federal law sets clear guidelines for truck drivers when it comes to alcohol and drug use. For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prohibits truck drivers from consuming alcohol within four hours of getting behind the wheel.

Despite these rules, violations continue to occur. Each year, commercial truck crashes result in thousands of deaths—approximately 4,800 fatalities, five percent of which are linked to drug or alcohol impairment. These numbers are deeply troubling. When a truck driver causes serious harm or death while impaired, both the driver and the company that employed them must be held accountable for their actions.

In the fatal crash that claimed the life of Michael Silver and injured his passenger, attention must not only focus on the driver’s conduct but also the trucking company’s oversight. Trucking companies should educate their drivers about the dangers of impaired driving. They are also required to implement drug and alcohol testing protocols and to maintain proper records of those tests.

Was this practiced at this trucking company? If gaps or failures are found in the company’s practices, they too must be held responsible for contributing to this preventable loss.

The family of Mr. Silver deserves accountability from everyone whose negligence played a role in this devastating collision. Trucking companies often attempt to shift blame entirely onto the driver, but experienced lawyers can ensure all responsible parties face justice for the harm they’ve caused.

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The Ammons Law Firm represents clients nationwide in auto and truck accidents that result in serious injury or death.

Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Information contained in this blog was compiled from third-party sources or is the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if false or misleading information is contained in this post.