Blake Mathison Killed In Sycamore Semi-Truck Accident on Plank Road

Truck Accident - August 31, 2023

Delivery Van Driver Blake Mathison, 59, Died In Head-On Semi-Truck Accident Along Plank Road Not Far From Lukens Road

SYCAMORE, ILLINOIS (August 30, 2023) – A delivery driver identified as Blake Mathison has tragically died in a Sycamore semi-truck accident along Plank Road.

Dekalb County officials are saying that the accident took place on Monday night. A semi-truck was traveling down the road and approached a line of stopped vehicles.

The semi-truck driver failed to slow down and swerved into the westbound lanes in order to avoid hitting the stopped vehicles. That truck then hit a delivery van driven by Blake Mathison.

The force of the impact caused both vehicles to go into a ditch. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.

Despite life-saving measures, Blake Mathison was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did administer a drug and alcohol screening for the semi-truck driver. Those results are pending.

Liability For Sycamore Semi-Truck Accidents

Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in semi-truck accidents. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2021, 5,700 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, an 18% increase from 2020 and a 49% increase in the last 10 years. The involvement rate per 100 million large-truck miles traveled is up 7% from 2020, and up 22% in the last 10 years.” There are a number of steps that truck drivers should take in order to avoid collisions.

Truck drivers should be well rested before heading out onto the road.
Truck drivers should take periodic breaks during their shifts.
Truck drivers should slow down during periods of inclement weather.

Truck drivers must get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Pursuant to (625 ILCS 5/11-701), “a vehicle shall be driven in the right-hand lane available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction.” If a truck driver crosses into opposing lanes of traffic and hits another vehicle head-on, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

The company that a truck driver worked for could also be liable for a collision. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a truck driver may have been delivering packages when they crashed. There are a number of factors that should contribute to any semi-truck accident.

A truck driver may have been distracted.
A truck driver may have been speeding.
A truck driver may have made a dangerous lane change.
A truck driver may have been fatigued.

The vast majority of semi-truck accidents are totally preventable. This is particularly true if a truck driver has to veer into opposing lanes of traffic. These types of collisions nearly always take place when a truck driver is distracted, speeding or following the lead vehicle too closely. The family of any person that died in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating Sycamore Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Blake Mathison. This was a preventable tragedy that should have not taken place. There needs to be some accountability for what happened. So many questions still need to be answered. What was this truck driver doing prior to the collision?

Do you need more information about a Sycamore semi-truck accident? Our team of truck safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that truck companies are held accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.