Two Fatal Semi-Truck Crashes Raise Alarms Over Safety Failures on U.S. Highways

A pair of devastating crashes in Alabama and Tennessee this May has underscored persistent safety concerns in the trucking industry, as two commercial drivers now face serious criminal charges, including multiple counts of reckless homicide and murder.

Crash 1: Tequila, Eight Collisions, and a Fatality in Alabama

In Alabama, 56-year-old truck driver John McAdams is facing murder charges after a deadly chain-reaction incident on May 6 that left one person dead and several others injured across 28 miles of Interstate 65.

According to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, McAdams admitted to consuming an “unknown amount of tequila” before taking a nap inside his truck. Upon waking, he reentered traffic and began a series of crashes while reportedly traveling up to 90 mph. The first four of eight total crashes have been documented so far.

One of the most severe incidents involved 22-year-old William Hardrick, whose car was struck aggressively at high speed. His vehicle veered off-road, rolled multiple times, and ultimately ejected him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Despite the erratic driving, McAdams continued for another 12 miles before stopping. His blood alcohol content tested at 0.09%, slightly above the legal limit. Investigators noted clear signs of impairment during his field sobriety test. He was taken into custody and now faces both criminal charges and a wrongful death lawsuit from Hardrick’s family.

Crash 2: Fatal Mother's Day Collision on I-75 in Tennessee

Just five days later, on May 11, another catastrophic crash unfolded on I-75 in East Ridge, Tennessee. Authorities say 65-year-old truck driver Joseph Antoinier failed to slow down for traffic congestion, slamming into a line of vehicles and igniting a fireball that killed two people and injured eight others.

The semi-truck reportedly struck six passenger vehicles. Among them was a white Jeep carrying a woman, her 7-year-old daughter, and her 18-month-old infant—all of whom were pulled from the burning vehicle by good Samaritans. The children suffered burn injuries, and two other vehicle occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.

Video evidence and eyewitness reports indicate that Antoinier was driving erratically and at high speed in the moments leading up to the crash. He now faces multiple charges, including:

• 2 counts of Reckless Homicide
• 7 counts of Felony Reckless Endangerment
• 3 counts of Reckless Aggravated Assault

Antoinier was working under the Amazon Relay program at the time of the incident. In a statement, Amazon said it was cooperating with investigators and emphasized its third-party safety standards:

"Whether it be one-off loads or more frequent, Relay offers flexible options for third-party carriers. We have rigorous safety criteria for carriers, and suggesting otherwise is inaccurate and would be intentionally misleading.”

–Amber Plunkett, Amazon spokesperson

Safety and Oversight Under Scrutiny

Both incidents raise urgent questions about commercial driver vetting, fatigue management, and impairment screening. While the FMCSA enforces strict rules around drug and alcohol use, cases like these suggest enforcement and compliance gaps remain.

They also come amid ongoing scrutiny over qualifications and safety training in the trucking industry, particularly as demand for drivers outpaces available workforce supply. In recent weeks, regulatory discussions have also expanded to cover issues such as English proficiency, with aims to ensure that every driver on the road knows the language properly and can read road signs efficiently so prior accidents become more preventable.

These tragic events serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of impaired or reckless truck operation. With criminal investigations underway in both Alabama and Tennessee, further legal developments are expected.

Source: CDLLIFE | WDEF News 12