Alicia Barks, Matthew Siemer Killed in Coles County Semi-Truck Accident on I-57

Truck Accident - December 23, 2025

Alicia Barks, Matthew Siemer, of Chicago, Died in Multi-Vehicle Truck Accident in Coles County along Interstate 57

COLES COUNTY, ILLINOIS (December 23, 2025) – A married couple identified as Alicia Barks and Matthew Siemer died in a Coles County semi-truck accident on Interstate 57.

Coles County officials are saying that the accident took place on December 13. Alicia Barks and Matthew Siemer were driving down the highway when they were involved in a multi-vehicle collision with seven other vehicles.

At least five commercial vehicles were also involved in the crash. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help all of the victims.

Tragically, Matthew Siemer died due to the severe nature of his injuries. Alicia Barks was transported to a hospital in Urbana with critical injuries.

Despite lifesaving care, she also died at the hospital around 11:48 a.m. on Saturday. Authorities believe that winter weather conditions may have contributed to the collision.

A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Coles County Semi-Truck Accidents

Truck drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license and are expected to operate with an abundance of caution to avoid collisions. They must be particularly cautious during adverse weather conditions. 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.” Truck drivers should take several other measures to avoid collisions.

Speed: Truck drivers must operate their vehicles at a safe speed at all times. This may necessitate that they travel well below the stated speed limit during adverse weather conditions.
Vehicle Maintenance: Truck drivers must ensure that their vehicles are periodically inspected and well maintained. When a truck is not properly maintained, critical components are much more likely to malfunction and potentially cause a catastrophic collision.
Rest: Truck drivers should be well rested before beginning their shift and take periodic rest breaks as required under federal law. There are limits in terms of how many hours a truck driver can work per day and week.

There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any truck driver that rear-ends another vehicle ahead of them. These types of collisions are preventable when drivers maintain a safe speed and following distance. What most drivers do not understand is that they should dramatically increase their following distance during adverse road conditions. The slick nature of snow and ice on the roadways can make it extremely difficult for drivers to stop, even at relatively low speeds. When a truck driver hits another vehicle from behind, their employer could be held at fault. As a general rule, employers can be vicariously liable for the wrongful conduct of their workers who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.

Steps to Take After Coles County Truck Accidents

Poor weather conditions are one of the leading causes of motor vehicle collisions in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, “On average, over 3,800 people are killed and over 268,000 people are injured in weather-related crashes each year. (Source: Five-year averages from 2019 to 2023 analyzed by Athey Creek Consultants, based on NHTSA data).” Several actions should be taken after any serious injury collision.

Medical Records: All of the medical records related to any injury should be preserved. These records can help establish how an accident may have unfolded.
Accident Report: The accident report for the collision should be carefully reviewed. These reports represent an officer’s first impression of what may have taken place. They may also contain errors.
Truck Records: The truck records related to the crash should also be collected. This will include a truck driver’s logbook. A number of truck collisions involve drivers with hours-of-service violations.
Accident Reconstruction: Victims of truck accidents should seek the guidance of an experienced legal team. A legal team can use accident reconstruction and other methods to help determine how a crash took place and what parties may be liable.

The vast majority of truck accidents are preventable. They tend to involve situations where truck drivers are not properly scanning the road ahead of them for hazards. Many truck drivers are simply not used to driving in adverse weather conditions. It can be difficult to know where to begin for any person seriously injured in a truck accident. But it is important for victims to know that they do have legal rights. These rights extend to the surviving family members of any person killed due to the negligent actions of a truck driver. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating Coles County Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the families of Alicia Barks and Matthew Siemer. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Illinois State Police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the safety record of all the commercial vehicles involved? Is there a history of collisions along this stretch of road? Did the truck drivers have hours-of-service violations?

Do you need more information about a Coles County semi-truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and holding negligent drivers accountable for their wrongful conduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.