Official cause of crash that ejected trucker deemed ‘undetermined’ months after accident

The official cause of a semi truck wreck that fatally ejected a truck driver has been deemed ‘undetermined’ months after the crash in Kansas. 

The crash happened in eastern Shawnee County, Kansas back in January just  before 11:30 a.m. on January 17th. As of December 9th, 2025, the official cause has been listed as ‘undetermined.’

According to KSNT, the semi truck driven by 58-year-old Anthony L. Shell went off of Interstate 70 near mile marker 187 just west of the Topeka Service Area, where it hit a sign before colliding with the supports of the Stubbs Road bridge. Shell was ejected from the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Responding troopers reported a large amount of debris around the semi, and that the cab was ripped open in a ‘V’ shape. There were no signs of swerving or braking near the crash. There were small patches of snow reported on the shoulders of the highway, but no ice or other adverse conditions were reported. Visibility was clear at the time of the crash. 

Shell’s family says he had been a truck driver for 30 years and was on his first run with a new company when he crashed. His family says they have no reason to believe he was suicidal. The cause of the crash has been officially listed as undetermined.