Teresa Bradley Killed In Paris Dump Truck Accident

Truck Accident - November 26, 2025

Teresa Bradley, 67, Died in Collision With County Dump Truck at the Intersection of Wood Street and Central Avenue

PARIS, ILLINOIS (November 26, 2025) – A woman identified as Teresa Bradley has tragically died in a Paris dump truck accident at the intersection of Wood Street and Central Avenue.

Edgar County officials are saying that the collision took place around 2:30 p.m. on November 17. Teresa Bradley had a walk signal at the intersection when the driver of a dump truck began turning.

The dump truck hit the victim and knocked her to the ground. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim.

Teresa Bradley was taken to the hospital with major head trauma. Sadly, she was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police cited the driver of the dump truck for failure to yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk. A full investigation into the Paris dump truck collision remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Paris Dump Truck Accidents

Dump truck drivers are required to obtain a commercial license and must undergo specialized training. They are expected to exercise a great deal of caution to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11‑1002, “When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.” Truck drivers should take several actions to avoid colliding with pedestrians.

Scanning: Truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for potential hazards.
Speed: Truck drivers should slow their vehicles when pedestrians are nearby and use their horns to alert pedestrians of their presence if necessary.
Distraction: Truck drivers should ensure that they are focusing entirely on the road and avoid using their cell phones or other electronic devices while operating their vehicle.
Turn Signals: Truck drivers should always use their turn signals to let pedestrians know of their intentions.

Left turns are among the most dangerous maneuvers that truck drivers can make. Many truck drivers are so focused on checking for cross traffic that they fail to notice pedestrians directly in the path of their vehicle as they make turns. This is why many companies like UPS eliminate as many left turns for the routes that their drivers take as possible. If a truck driver turns into the path of a pedestrian and hits them, this may be construed as negligence. The company or municipal entity that a truck driver worked for could be liable for a collision. As a general rule, employers can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.

Steps to Take After Illinois Truck Accidents

Dump trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds and pose a number of unique hazards to other road users. According to the Engineering News Record, “Dump truck accidents severe enough that the vehicle had to be towed away rose 9%, hitting 8,206 in 2016, the latest year statistics are available.” Fatigue is a common cause of these collisions. It is important that certain actions are taken after any dump truck crash.

Surveillance: Any surveillance footage that may have captured the accident should be sought. Even if there are not traffic cameras at an intersection, a nearby business may have captured the crash.
Truck Records: All of the work records of the truck driver involved in the crash should be reviewed. A truck driver may have hours of service violations that could impair their ability to drive safely.
Event Data Recorder: Commercial trucks will often come equipped with event data recorders (EDRs). These are devices that function similarly to the black box on an airplane. They can provide an enormous amount of insight into how a crash took place.
Medical Records: All of the medical records related to a collision should be collected. The injury pattern that a person sustains can help paint a clear picture of how an accident took place even when there were no witnesses.
Independent Review: Victims of dump truck crashes or surviving family members should seek an independent accident review from a legal team with experience in tort claims. This team can help gather evidence and identify all potentially liable parties.

Dump truck collisions are often highly preventable. They tend to involve situations where truck drivers are pushed to complete routes as quickly as possible. This can lead drivers to adopt poor driving habits that jeopardize the safety of pedestrians. Any person injured due to the negligent actions of a truck driver does have legal rights. These rights extend to the surviving family members of any person killed in a crash. They are able to seek some measure of transparency and accountability through a civil action.

Investigating Paris Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Teresa Bradley. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the speed of the truck driver prior to the crash? Is there a history of collisions at this intersection?

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