Bradley Pygott Killed in Shelby County Semi-Truck Accident on Illinois Route 32

Truck Accident - January 6, 2026

Bradley Pygott, 54, Died in Collision Involving Semi-Truck on IL-32 in Shelby County

Are expert witnesses necessary in truck accident case?

SHELBY COUNTY, ILLINOIS (January 5, 2025) – A 54-year-old man identified as Bradley Pygott has died in a Shelby County semi-truck accident on Illinois Route 32.

Shelby County officials are saying that the accident took place on Tuesday morning. Bradley Pygott was in a passenger vehicle when he was involved in a collision with a commercial truck.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, Bradley Pygott died due to the severe nature of his injuries.

The circumstances leading up to the crash are uncertain. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Shelby County Semi-Truck Accidents

A fully loaded semi truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Truck drivers are expected to operate these vehicles with an abundance of caution. Many collisions involve truck drivers that make dangerous lane changes. According to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11‑701, “a vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.” Truck companies should take certain measures to prevent accidents.

  • Training: Truck drivers should be trained to handle any particular rig that they are operating.
  • Compliance: Truck companies should ensure that their drivers comply with all hours-of-service regulations.
  • Maintenance: All trucks should be routinely inspected and well maintained. Trucks have a high utilization rate and can easily break down without routine maintenance.

Trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles. As a general rule, this is why it is never safe to remain along either side of a semi-truck for an extended period of time. If a truck driver fails to slow down or moves into the path of another vehicle, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Liability for the collision could extend beyond the truck driver deemed to be at fault. The company that a truck driver worked for could also be held at fault.

Steps to Take After Illinois Truck Accidents

Many people are killed or seriously injured in accidents with commercial trucks every year across the state of Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, an estimated 262 people were injured in accidents with commercial trucks in 2023 alone. Another 20 people lost their lives. Certain measures should be taken after any accident involving a commercial truck.

  • All of the medical records associated with the incident should be collected and preserved.
  • Photos of the accident site should be taken. These can help reveal how a crash took place.
  • Eyewitnesses should be interviewed as early as possible while their memories are still fresh.
  • Victims and surviving family members should seek the guidance of a legal team with experience in tort claims.

Truck accidents are often highly preventable. In many situations, these collisions are the result of unsafe driving habits. In fact, one in ten truck drivers involved in a fatal collision reported feeling under pressure from their carrier. Victims of truck accidents are protected by a number of laws. Among other things, the surviving family members of any person who dies are able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating Illinois Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Bradley Pygott. Any person who may have more information about what happens should reach out to the Illinois State Police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the speed of the truck involved? What is the safety record of the company that owned the truck?

Do you need more information about a Shelby County truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to getting victims the information and resources that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any accident, we are here to help. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.