Chad Askew, 43, of Mansfield, Died in Attleboro Tractor-Trailer Truck Accident as Police Search for Truck Driver That May Have Fled the Scene
ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS (March 6, 2026) – A man identified as Chad Askew has tragically died in an Attleboro semi-truck accident on Interstate 95 near Exit 4.
Bristol County officials say the accident occurred around 6:00 AM on Wednesday. Chad Askew was driving a Honda Civic when he was involved in a collision with a semi-truck.
The impact forced the vehicle to become wedged under the side of the trailer. Paramedics were called to the crash scene to help Chad. He was transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Authorities said that there were two semi-trucks at the scene when they arrived. Neither driver was present in their vehicle. Witnesses reported seeing one person flee the scene of the collision. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Attleboro Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck drivers must obtain a commercial license and are expected to operate their vehicles with a great deal of care to avoid collisions. Truck drivers must be particularly cautious when they’re parking and can be liable for car accidents if their vehicles are illegally or dangerously parked. Consider, for example, M.G.L. c. 89 §9. There are several steps that a truck driver must take if they have to stop by the side of the road.
- Pull Over: They must pull over as far off the roadway as possible and make sure their vehicle does not obstruct lanes of traffic.
- Hazard Flashers: Truck drivers must turn on their hazard flashers as early as possible.
- Emergency Warning: Truck drivers must place warning devices within 10 minutes of stopping.
Parking by the side of the road is incredibly dangerous. It should be only used as a measure of last resort in the event of an emergency. Despite this, many truck drivers have illegally parked their vehicles by the side of the road to eat food or use the bathroom. If a truck driver failed to follow safety guidelines set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, this could serve as evidence of negligence. The company that the truck driver worked for could also be held at fault if a truck driver acted negligently.
Steps to Take After Attleboro Semi-Truck Accidents
Certain actions should be taken after any accident in Massachusetts.
- Medical Records: All of the medical records associated with the accident should be collected and preserved.
- Eyewitnesses: Any person that may have witnessed the collision should be interviewed as early as possible while their memories are still fresh.
- Evidence Preservation: All of the evidence associated with the crash should be preserved. This includes taking plenty of accident photos.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who died in a truck accident should seek an independent review of the collision with a personal injury attorney experienced in accident reconstruction and federal truck laws.
Truck accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to involve situations where truck drivers are not following safety regulations. This is particularly common when truck drivers are parking. It is important that victims of truck accidents understand that they do have legal rights. They are able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. This right also extends to the family of any person who died in a truck accident.
Investigating Attleboro Semi-Truck Accidents
Trucks account for a relatively small portion of the total number of vehicles on the roadway. However, they are involved in a disproportionately high number of serious injury and fatal collisions. According to the National Safety Council, “A total of 5,472 people died in large-truck crashes in 2023. The number of deaths decreased 8% from 2022 but is up 40% in the last 10 years.”
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Chad Askew. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. It is deeply concerning that the truck involved in the crash appears to be abandoned and that one person appears to have left the scene. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened.
Do you need more information about an Attleboro semi-truck accident? Our legal team is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any crash, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.