Authorities have identified 43-year-old Chad Askew of Mansfield as the victim of a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in Attleboro, Massachusetts, as investigators continue working to determine what led to the early morning collision.
The crash occurred shortly before 6:00 a.m. on March 4, 2026, near mile marker 3.2 on the northbound side of I-95. Emergency responders arrived to find a blue Honda Civic that had collided with a tractor-trailer in the breakdown lane.
Askew, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was transported to a nearby hospital with critical injuries and was later pronounced dead.
Unusual Circumstances at the Scene
Investigators noted several unusual details that have made the case more complex.
Authorities found:
- A white semi-trailer without a tractor attached
- A red Volvo tractor with an attached trailer
- No drivers present for either vehicle
Reports also indicate that a man was seen fleeing the scene on foot shortly after the crash, prompting an ongoing search by law enforcement.
These factors have raised questions about whether the parked vehicles were properly secured and whether additional parties may have been involved.
How the Crash Happened
Preliminary findings suggest that Askew’s vehicle struck a tractor-trailer that had been parked in the breakdown lane. In similar incidents, vehicles can become lodged under trailers, significantly increasing the severity of injuries due to the height difference between passenger cars and commercial trucks.
Collisions involving stationary trucks are particularly dangerous because drivers may not notice them in time—especially during early morning hours when visibility and reaction times are reduced.
Why Crashes Like This Are So Dangerous
Accidents involving large commercial vehicles often lead to severe or fatal outcomes due to several factors:
- Massive size difference between trucks and passenger cars
- Limited visibility for drivers approaching parked trailers
- Reduced reaction time during early morning driving conditions
- Long stopping distances for vehicles traveling at highway speeds
Safety experts frequently warn that improperly parked or unmarked trucks on highways can create significant hazards for other drivers.
Ongoing Investigation
The crash remains under active investigation by multiple agencies, including Massachusetts State Police and local authorities.
Investigators are expected to examine:
- Whether proper safety procedures were followed by the truck operators
- Why no drivers were present at the scene
- The identity of the individual who fled
- Road and visibility conditions at the time of the crash
Findings from the investigation could determine whether any legal violations or safety failures contributed to the incident.
Our Take
This tragic crash highlights a critical but often overlooked danger on highways: parked or unattended commercial vehicles.
While the full details are still emerging, cases like this often point to preventable risks — particularly when large trucks are left in breakdown lanes without proper warning measures.
Improving enforcement of roadside safety rules and increasing driver awareness could play a key role in preventing similar incidents in the future.