Jason Hart Killed in Champaign County Truck Accident in Hensley Township

Truck Accident - September 15, 2025

Truck Towing Farm Equipment Involved in Fatal Motorcycle Accident That Killed Jason Hart Near Mattis Avenue and East Ford Harris Road

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, ILLINOIS (September 15, 2025) – A motorcyclist identified as Jason Hart has tragically died in a Champaign County truck accident by the intersection of Mattis Avenue and East Ford Harris Road.

Champaign County officials are saying that the collision took place around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. A truck was towing a piece of farming equipment when it was involved in a collision with Jason Hart.

The victim was traveling with another motorcycle rider who was able to evade the truck. Paramedics were called to the scene to help the man.

Sadly, Jason Hart was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severe nature of his injuries. A full investigation into the Champaign County truck accident remains ongoing.

Liability for Champaign County Truck Accidents

Truck drivers must operate with an abundance of caution to avoid colliding with other vehicles in the roadway. Despite this, many truck drivers cause collisions as they make dangerous left turns. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-801, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn left must first yield the right-of-way to any driver that is close enough to pose a hazard. If a truck driver turns into the path of a vehicle, this could serve as evidence of negligence. There are many reasons that truck drivers make dangerous maneuvers.

Distraction: A truck driver may have been distracted by their cellphone or some other object.
Blind Spots: A truck driver may have failed to check their blind spots before turning.
Fatigue: Truck drivers are much more likely to make dangerous maneuvers when they are fatigued.

If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. As a general rule, employers are vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their workers who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. This could include instances where a truck was being used to transport commercial equipment for some construction project or farm.

Establishing Fault in Champaign County Truck Accidents

Many truck crashes occur in rural areas that lack surveillance footage. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Fatal crashes involving large trucks often occur in rural areas and on Interstate highways. Approximately 54 percent of all fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred in rural areas, 26 percent occurred on Interstate highways, and 12 percent fell into both categories by occurring on rural Interstate highways.” It is important that these accidents are properly investigated.

Police Report: The police should be called to the scene of the accident as soon as possible so that they can begin an investigation. This will help document the officer’s initial thoughts about who could be liable.
Photos: Any photos of the accident site and vehicle damage can help paint a clear picture of what happened, regardless of what any driver may claim.
Medical Records: The injuries that a person sustains can also reveal how an accident took place.

Commercial trucks may have event data recorders (EDRs). These devices can function in much the same way that the black boxes on an airplane work. They can reveal how fast a truck driver was traveling before being involved in a crash. They can help reveal that a truck driver didn’t even attempt to brake before colliding with another vehicle. All of this evidence should be taken together to help better understand how an accident occurred.

Investigating Champaign County Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jason Hart. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the authorities. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. A number of questions remain at this time.

Do you need more information about a Champaign County truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and getting to the bottom of what may have contributed to any crash. Whether you just have questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.