Fried Goldberg LLC Says Visibility Excuses Do Not Erase A Trucker’s Duty To Stop At Red Lights
A truck crash that killed a school van driver in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, is drawing renewed attention to how commercial drivers handle low-visibility conditions at busy intersections. According to reporting from Trib Live, 23-year-old truck driver Issac D. Stemple was recently arrested on homicide charges for a March 2025 collision at the intersection of Route 819 and Route 22.
Investigators say 60-year-old school district van driver Rene Davis and a 17-year-old student in a separate SUV were both proceeding through the intersection on a green light when an eastbound tractor-trailer hauling lumber entered the crossing and struck their vehicles. Davis was killed, and the student was hospitalized in stable condition. Stemple was not injured.
The national truck accident attorneys at Fried Goldberg LLC in Atlanta say the case reflects a fundamental rule of commercial driving: when visibility is compromised, a trucker’s obligation is to slow down and prepare to stop, not continue through an intersection at highway speeds.
“When you’re approaching a signalized intersection with warning signs, you don’t just keep rolling at 50-plus miles per hour and hope you can see the light in time,” attorney Michael Goldberg said. “Professional truck drivers are trained to anticipate hazards, not react at the last second and put everyone else in the intersection at risk.”
Sun Glare And The Duty To Adjust Speed
According to the criminal complaint, Stemple told investigators that intense sun glare limited his vision as he approached the intersection, prompting him to lower his head and reach for sunglasses. He reportedly said he couldn’t tell what color the traffic light was before suddenly seeing two vehicles ahead of him.
Subsequent investigation, however, found that the sun would have been positioned behind the traffic signals in a way that should have allowed him to see at least one of the red lights. Authorities also determined the truck was traveling between 51 and 56 mph in a 45 mph zone, and noted that a “red signal ahead” sign was posted roughly 1,000 feet before the intersection.
“Every commercial driver knows that sun glare is part of the job,” attorney Joe Fried said. “The law doesn’t just give you a free pass because the sun is low on the horizon. If you can’t clearly see the signal or the intersection, you slow down, you cover the brake, and you be ready to stop. Choosing to maintain your speed and look away from the roadway is a reckless decision, not an accident.”
Intersection Truck Crashes And Preventable Harm
Investigators concluded that the collision resulted from Stemple’s failure to stop for a steady red signal while cross traffic was moving through the intersection. He now faces charges including homicide by vehicle, two counts of reckless endangerment, and multiple summary offenses tied to speeding and tractor-trailer violations. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2026.
Fried Goldberg LLC notes that intersection crashes involving tractor-trailers are often especially devastating because smaller vehicles are exposed from the side with little protection. The firm says its nationwide case investigations frequently focus on whether truckers heeded advance warning signs, adjusted their speed for conditions like glare or weather, and approached intersections with the heightened caution required of commercial drivers.
About Fried Goldberg LLC
Based in Atlanta and serving victims nationwide, Fried Goldberg LLC is one of the preeminent trucking accident law firms in the United States. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for its clients, including many 7- and 8-figure verdicts and settlements. For more information, visit www.friedgoldberg.com.
