Driver Killed in Accident with a Parked Semi-truck on Interstate 5 Near Cottonwood Scales, California

COTTONWOOD, Calif. — A man was killed Sunday night after his vehicle crashed into the back of a parked 18-wheeler along Interstate 5 near the Cottonwood Scales.

According to reports, the crash occurred when the driver of a gray Honda Civic, traveling south on I-5 at an undetermined speed, drifted into the Cottonwood Scales lane and struck the rear of the parked semi-truck.

The car came to rest underneath the trailer, and the driver, who was the only person in the vehicle, died at the scene from his injuries.

No additional information is currently available.

Public roadways are not where trucks should be parked

When we hear about crashes like this one, our first reaction may be: Why was the Civic unable to avoid hitting the parked semi?

Accident reports often place blame on the driver who strikes a stationary semi-truck; however, in my experience, these cases require a closer investigation. The key question is whether the truck should have been stopped on the roadside at all. A semi-truck parked in the wrong place can create a profound and unexpected hazard—one that may have been entirely avoidable.

We recently represented a family whose loved one died after hitting a parked semi-truck. While authorities determined the deceased was responsible because he struck a stationary vehicle, our investigation determined that the truck should not have been there in the first place. When the grieving family reached out to us, we immediately focused on understanding why the truck driver had pulled over. We knew from experience that a truck driver’s reason for parking on the side of the road could reveal important details about who was responsible for the accident.

In this case, the truck driver claimed he had pulled over due to a flat tire, which initially appeared to be a legitimate emergency. However, our investigation revealed that this “emergency” was entirely preventable. The tire had been under-inflated for months, gradually weakening its structure until failure was inevitable. This wasn’t a sudden emergency: it was the predictable result of the trucking company’s failure to maintain its vehicle properly. The company had ignored basic maintenance requirements, ultimately creating conditions that would force its driver to park in a dangerous location.

By investigating beyond the surface-level facts, we uncovered corporate negligence that contributed to this tragic loss of life. The family received not just compensation but answers about what really happened to their loved one.

The surviving family of the man who lost his life here also deserves the same attention and to demand answers. Seasoned truck attorneys with experience handling cases like this one can help find the families the answers they need.

May all the facts surrounding this incident come to light soon.

*******

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.