Joseph Sands Killed in Madison County Semi-Truck Accident
Truck Accident - October 18, 2025
Joseph Sands (Full Name: Joseph Wayne Sands), 63, of Cottage Hills, Died in Madison County Truck Accident on Interstate 55 Near Collinsville
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS (October 18, 2025) – A 63-year-old man identified as Joseph Sands has tragically died in a Madison County semi-truck accident along Interstate 55, not far from Collinsville.
Madison County officials are saying that the accident occurred around 3:01 AM. Joseph Sands was operating his 1992 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck that slowed in the northbound lanes of traffic on Interstate 55.
A semi truck failed to slow down in time and collided with the rear of his vehicle. Both vehicles caught fire as a result of the crash.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. Sadly, Joseph Sands died due to his injuries.
Multiple lanes of Interstate 55 were closed as authorities continued to investigate. A full investigation into the cause of the fatal Madison County truck accident remains ongoing.
Liability for Madison County Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck drivers must exercise a great deal of caution to avoid colliding with any vehicle ahead of them. To that end, they must maintain a safe follow distance with all other vehicles on the freeway. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-710, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.” There are many factors that could contribute to any semi-truck accident.
- Speed: A truck driver may have been traveling at an unsafe speed given the prevailing road conditions.
- Fatigue: A truck driver may have become dangerously fatigued by driving for an extended period of time without taking a rest break.
- Vehicle System Failure: Key components of a truck may have malfunctioned if the vehicle was not being properly maintained.
- Inclement Weather: Driving a commercial can be difficult in the best of circumstances. Truck accidents are substantially more likely to occur during rain or other forms of inclement weather.
There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any truck driver that rear-ends a vehicle in their own lane of traffic. These accidents are nearly always preventable when truck drivers are properly scanning the road ahead of them and operating at a safe follow distance. Depending on the facts of any case, the company that a truck driver worked for could be held at fault for a collision. Generally speaking, employers are vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their workers.
Steps to Take After a Madison County Semi-Truck Accident
Far too many people are seriously injured or killed each year in accidents with commercial trucks. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “In 2021, on average, there were 1.12 fatalities in fatal crashes involving large trucks. In 90 percent of those crashes, there was only one fatality. The majority, 83 percent, of fatalities were not occupants of the large truck.” Certain steps should be taken after any accident with a commercial truck.
- Police Report: The police should be called to the scene as early as possible so that they can conduct a thorough investigation into what happened.
- Evidence Preservation: All of the physical evidence related to the crash should be preserved in a secure location. This should normally include an event data recorder (EDR) if a commercial truck is involved.
- Medical Records: Medical records related to the collision should also be collected. They can play a crucial role in determining what happened.
- Independent Review: The police will review nearly all truck accidents, but their reports are far from exhaustive. It’s a good idea to have any fatal collision carefully reviewed by a team with experience in tort claims.
Truck accidents can often be complex events. The factors that contribute to any truck accident may take place hours, days, weeks, or even months beforehand. These incidents could involve liability on many separate parties. It is important for accident victims to understand that they do have legal rights. In particular, the family of any person who dies due to the negligent actions of a truck driver may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating Madison County Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Joseph Sands. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. What was the speed of the semi-truck driver prior to the collision? Was the semi-truck driver potentially distracted by their phone or some other device? What is the safety record of the company that owned the truck?
Do you need more information about a Madison County truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We can investigate any accident at no cost and get to the bottom of what went wrong. We are committed to making Illinois a safer place through advocacy and informing victims of their rights. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
