Big Rig Driver Facing Charges After Fatal Crash in Lodi Along Highway 99
LODI, CALIFORNIA (May 23, 2026) – Two people have died and five people were injured in a semi-truck accident along Highway 99, south of Harney Lane.
San Joaquin County officials are saying that the accident took place around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday. A Toyota Camry, Nissan Frontier, and Kia Forte were slowing down in the far right lane of the highway.
A Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling behind those three vehicles when that driver failed to stop and crashed into the rear of the Kia. This led to a chain-reaction crash with several other vehicles.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the crash to help all of the victims. Sadly, two people died due to the nature of their injuries.
Another five people were hospitalized. The San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office has charged the driver of the truck with vehicular manslaughter and gross negligence.
A full investigation into the circumstances leading up to the crash remains ongoing.
Liability for Lodi Truck Accidents
Truck drivers must obtain a commercial license and are expected to operate with a great deal of care to avoid collisions. This necessitates that they maintain a safe follow distance with all vehicles ahead of them. According to CA Veh Code § 21703, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.” There are many other ways that a driver may have acted negligently and contributed to a crash.
- Speeding: A truck driver may have been traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions.
- Fatigue: A truck driver may have been fatigued after breaking hours-of-service regulations.
- Intoxicated: A truck driver may have been intoxicated through their use of drugs or alcohol.
- Scanning: A truck driver may have not properly scanned the road ahead of them prior to a crash.
If a truck driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a vehicle ahead of them, this could serve as evidence of negligence. There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that collides with a vehicle in their own lane of traffic. Liability for a truck accident could extend to several entities beyond any specific driver. The company that a truck driver worked for could be liable. A truck broker could be liable for an accident if they hired a carrier with a poor safety record.
Steps to Take After Lodi Truck Accidents
Speeding and fatigue remain major causes of truck accidents across California and the United States. According to the FMCSA, “In crashes between trucks and passenger vehicles, driving too fast for conditions and fatigue were important factors cited for both drivers. However, fatigue was coded twice as often for passenger vehicle drivers, and speeding more often for truck drivers.” Many steps should be taken after any truck accident resulting in injury.
- Victims should seek medical treatment as early as possible. Many of the injuries associated with truck accidents will not be immediately obvious.
- The safety record of the truck company involved in the collision should be scrutinized.
- The police report created after the collision should be sought. This report can help establish what happened in the lead up to any collision.
- The family of any person who died in a truck accident should seek an independent investigation by a team experienced in accident reconstruction.
Truck accidents are often highly complex events. The factors that contribute to any truck accident could take place many hours or even weeks beforehand. Sadly, truck drivers and their insurance provider will almost never accept responsibility when they cause a collision. Any person injured in a truck accident is able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim. The surviving family members of any person who died are also able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Lodi Truck Accidents
We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our deepest condolences to the family of the two people killed in this collision. It is our sincere hope that the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the California Highway Patrol.
Do you need more information about a Lodi 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 negligent truck carriers are held fully accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to assist you. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.
