On the morning of May 13, 2025, a tanker truck 18-wheeler transporting approximately 10,000 gallons of oil veered off the road and crashed into a residence in Wellington, Utah. The collision occurred after the truck reportedly struck six parked vehicles, a utility pole, and a fire hydrant before ultimately plowing into the home. A couple who had been inside the house at the time of the impact sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to a nearby hospital. The driver and a passenger in the truck were also hospitalized with moderate to serious injuries.
According to preliminary findings by state police, the crash may have been caused by driver fatigue. Investigators suspect that the truck operator became drowsy and possibly fell asleep behind the wheel prior to the accident. Authorities are continuing to investigate.
Potential Causes and Contributing Factors
Fatigue is a well-documented hazard in the commercial trucking industry. Long hours, tight delivery deadlines, and inadequate rest contribute to drowsy driving, which can impair reaction time, decision-making, and alertness. In this case, initial reports suggest the truck driver may have been asleep at the wheel when the crash occurred — a dangerous condition that can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
When a commercial driver fails to remain alert, the consequences can be far-reaching. Colliding with multiple parked vehicles, damaging public utilities, and ultimately striking a residential structure suggest a prolonged loss of control. Such a series of impacts raises important questions about driver scheduling, rest breaks, and whether federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations were followed.
If fatigue played a role, liability may extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company or cargo operator responsible for setting driving schedules or failing to ensure driver compliance with safety rules.
Risks and Safety Considerations
This crash highlights the serious public safety risks posed by fatigued truck drivers. Operating a large vehicle like an oil tanker while drowsy endangers not only the driver and their co-worker but also unsuspecting residents and motorists.
Tanker trucks, which often carry flammable or hazardous materials, require the highest level of caution and alertness. When a driver is impaired by fatigue:
- Reaction time slows dramatically
- Vehicle control is compromised
- Risk of rollover or hazardous spill increases
- Innocent bystanders, including homeowners, can be injured
These risks emphasize why rest requirements for commercial drivers are not just bureaucratic red tape — they are essential to protecting lives on and off the road.
Legal Rights and Options
Victims injured in truck accidents — whether motorists, passengers, or private citizens — may have legal options if negligence contributed to the crash. When fatigue plays a role, potential claims may include:
- Negligence claims against the truck driver for failing to operate the vehicle safely
- Employer liability if the trucking company pushed unsafe hours or failed to enforce rest periods
- Product liability if a mechanical failure contributed to the accident
- Property damage and personal injury lawsuits for residents whose homes were damaged or who sustained injuries
An experienced truck accident lawyer can investigate whether federal trucking regulations were violated, help preserve key evidence, review driver logs, and pursue claims for medical costs, pain and suffering, and property losses.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
At Spagnoletti Law Firm, our truck crash attorneys have extensive experience handling cases involving serious injury and loss of life. If you or a loved one has been harmed in an 18-wheeler accident and are considering your legal options, call 713-804-9306 today for a free consultation.