Jordan Ball Killed in Knox County Semi-Truck Accident on U.S. Route 34

Truck Accident - December 17, 2025

Jordan Ball, Beloved 7th-Grade Teacher and Coach at Galesburg Junior Senior High School, Died In Knox County Truck Accident –> GoFundMe Created to Support Victim’s Family

KNOX COUNTY, ILLINOIS (December 17, 2025) – A 7th-grade teacher and coach identified as Jordan Ball has tragically died in a Knox County semi-truck accident on U.S. Route 43 by Route 167.

Knox County officials are saying that the accident took place around 2:49 PM on Monday. Jordan Ball was in a gray Kia sedan that was involved in a collision with a semi-truck.

The circumstances leading up to the collision remain unclear. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim. Sadly, Jordan Ball died due to the severity of his injuries.

Both directions of the freeway were closed for several hours as authorities investigated. He was remembered fondly as a caring educator, husband, and father.

You can help support the family of the victim through GoFundMe.

Liability for Knox County Semi-Truck Accidents

A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 pounds. Truck drivers are required to obtain a commercial license and must undergo specialized training to be able to handle these vehicles safely. Despite this, many collisions still involve truck drivers that make dangerous maneuvers. 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 traffic that is traveling from the opposite direction and close enough to pose a hazard. There are many different factors that could contribute to a truck accident.

Blind Spots: Truck drivers may fail to check their blind spots as they are turning or changing lanes.
Fatigue: Truck drivers may be pressured to complete their routes as quickly as possible and neglect to follow hours of service regulations.
Vehicle System Failures: Truck drivers may fail to ensure that their vehicle is in working order. Essential components like the tires or brakes could fail.
Driver Distraction: Truck drivers could also be distracted by their phones, navigation systems, or even conversations with passengers. Drivers must do everything in their power to remain focused on the road ahead of them and scan for all potential hazards.

If a truck driver made an unsafe turn or lane change into the path of another vehicle, this may be construed as negligence. The driver operating the truck could be liable. It is also possible that liability for a truck collision could extend beyond any driver deemed to be responsible. For example, the business that owned or operated the truck could also be liable for the crash. Generally speaking, employers in Illinois can be liable for the wrongful conduct of their workers who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.

Establishing Liability for Knox County Truck Accidents

Establishing what parties may be liable for any truck collision requires collecting extensive evidence. These collisions are complex by their very nature and could involve several liable parties. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Elements that influence the occurrence of a crash may take place hours, days, or months before the crash. They include driver training and experience, vehicle design and manufacture, highway condition and traffic signaling, and weather conditions.” It is vital that all of the evidence related to the crash be carefully collected.

Physical Evidence: The vehicles and debris left behind after the crash should be carefully examined. Accident reconstruction specialists can use them to help determine how a crash unfolded.
Video Evidence: Surveillance footage that may have captured the crash should also be sought. Many local businesses have surveillance cameras that point out towards roadways.
Photographs: When possible, many photos of the accident site should be taken. The position of vehicles and the presence of skid marks can help reveal what went wrong.
Electronic Evidence: Commercial trucks tend to come equipped with event data recorders. These devices monitor the speed of the truck and catalog other important data. This data can be used to evaluate fault for the crash.
Logbook: Truck drivers are required to maintain a logbook that tracks work hours. It is important to determine whether or not there may have been hours-of-service violations.

Truck accidents tend to be highly preventable. In many situations, they involve carriers that pressured their drivers to complete routes as quickly as possible. In fact, 1 in 10 truck drivers involved in a fatal collision reported feeling under pressure from their carrier. Victims of truck accidents should understand that they do have legal rights. They are able to seek some measure of justice through a civil action. This right extends to the surviving family members of any person who dies. Surviving family members are able to seek accountability through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating Knox County Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jordan Ball. 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. Several questions remain unanswered. What is the safety record of the truck company involved? Is there a history of collisions on this stretch of road?

Do you need more information about a Knox County semi-truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that truck carriers are held accountable for the negligent actions of their drivers. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique circumstances of any crash, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.