Keiri Gonzalez Killed in Crest Hill Semi-Truck Accident on Route 53
Truck Accident - November 4, 2025
Keiri Gonzalez, 34, of Joliet, Died in Will County Semi-Truck Accident on Interstate 53 Between Crest Hill and Romeoville
CREST HILL, ILLINOIS (November 3, 2025) – A 33-year-old woman from Joliet identified as Keiri Gonzalez has tragically died in a Crest Hill semi-truck accident along Interstate 53.
Will County officials are saying that the accident took place around 12:15 PM on Friday. Keiri Gonzalez was heading down the road in a Jeep when her vehicle was involved in a collision with a semi-truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help all of the victims. Sadly, Keiri Gonzalez died due to the severe nature of her injuries after being transported to St. Joe’s Hospital.
Three other people inside of the Jeep were taken to the hospital to receive treatment. Authorities believe that one of the vehicles may have crossed the center line before sideswiping the other vehicle.
A full investigation into the deadly county truck accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Will County Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and operate their vehicles with an abundance of caution. Many collisions involve truck drivers that make dangerous lane changes. According to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-709, “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 several measures to prevent accidents.
- Certification: Truck companies should ensure that all of their drivers are properly certified and well trained.
- Inspections: Truck companies should ensure that all of their vehicles are periodically inspected and well maintained.
- Technology: Truck companies should consider adopting technological features designed to prevent accidents. This includes forward collision avoidance systems and blind spot monitoring.
Semi-trucks can weigh 80,000 pounds and are extremely deadly even at lower speeds. Despite this, many truck drivers adopt poor driving habits as they seek to complete routes as quickly as possible. If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. However, truck companies will often hire their drivers as “independent contractors” to limit their legal exposure in the event of accidents.
Steps to Take After Will County Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck accidents account for a relatively small number of the total vehicles on the roadway. But they’re involved in a disproportionately high number of serious injury and fatal collisions each year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “The number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased 18 percent, from 4,821 to 5,700, and the large truck involvement rate (large trucks involved in fatal crashes per 100 million miles traveled by large trucks) increased 8 percent, from 1.62 to 1.74.” Any person affected by a semi-truck accident should take certain steps to preserve their well-being and legal rights.
- Police Report: The police should be called to the scene as soon as possible so that they can begin an investigation.
- Medical Evaluation: Victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation. Many of the injuries associated with a semi truck accident will not be immediately obvious.
- Evidence Preservation: The physical evidence related to the crash should be preserved. This will include the vehicles involved and all photos and videos that may have captured the accident and its aftermath.
- Independent Review: Police departments will typically perform an investigation into the circumstances of a truck accident. But their investigation is far from exhaustive. It is a good idea to have any fatal truck accident independently reviewed by a team with experience in negligence claims.
The vast majority of truck accidents are preventable. They often involve truck drivers that are fatigued or simply not paying adequate attention to the road ahead of them. In fact, one in ten truck drivers involved in a fatal collision have reported being under pressure from their carrier. The family of any person who died due to the negligent actions of a truck driver may be able to seek some measure of accountability and transparency through a civil action.
Investigating Will County Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Keiri Gonzalez. It is our sincere hope that the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about what took place should reach out to the police. Many questions remain unanswered at this time.
Do you need more information about a Will 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 proactive steps are taken to make Illinois roads safer. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any accident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.