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Author: Lois Durso

Nearly 22 Years Later, I’m Still Asking: How Many More Lives Must Be Lost?

Nearly 22 Years Later, I’m Still Asking: How Many More Lives Must Be Lost?

Nearly 22 years ago, my beautiful daughter, Roya, was killed in a truck underride crash.

Nothing prepares a parent for the loss of a child. The pain does not disappear with time. We carry it with us every day. Roya’s life was taken in an instant, and the heartbreak continues for everyone who loved her.

But what makes her death—and the deaths of so many others—especially heartbreaking is this: Truck underride is not a new problem.

It has been known for nearly 100 years. And side underride remains a devastating danger even though solutions exist to help prevent these catastrophic crashes.

How many lives have been lost to underride? I wish I could give you an exact number. The truth is, we cannot. Underride deaths have historically been difficult to identify and accurately capture in crash and fatality data. That means the true human toll may be far greater than the numbers we see in official statistics.

How much is your life worth?

Behind every number is a person. A daughter like Roya. A son. A husband. A wife. A mother or father. A friend whose life was taken far too soon—and a family left to live with the unimaginable consequences. This should matter to all of us.

Underride is not simply a trucking issue. It is a highway-safety issue that can affect any one of us when we share the road with a tractor-trailer.

We should all know about underride. We should all care about underride. And we should all demand that preventable deaths are not accepted as the price of mobility but rather installing underride protection on all large trucks should be accepted as a normal cost of doing business.

Please take a few minutes to learn more about truck underride, the devastating consequences of these crashes, and the solutions that can help save lives. Then share what you learn. Talk about it. Ask questions. Contact your elected representatives and transportation officials. And ask the trucking and trailer manufacturing industries to support proven measures that can prevent underride crashes and save lives.

I cannot bring Roya back. But I can continue to tell her story. And I can continue to fight so that another family doesn’t have to learn what mine learned nearly 22 years ago:

The loss of a child is forever. Underride was a death sentence for Roya and a life sentence for her family.

Please learn more. Please speak up. Please help us demand action. Because the next life saved could be someone you love.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

In Memory Of Roya; A Sister’s Loving Tribute

In Memory Of Roya; A Sister’s Loving Tribute

Roya Christine Sadigh, a bright and vibrant light in the lives of all who knew her, was born on June 19, 1978, in St. Charles, Illinois, and left this world far too soon on November 24, 2004, at the age of 26.

Roya grew up surrounded by the love of her family and the close-knit community of St. Charles. From a young age she stood out—as a competitive gymnast who brought focus, strength, and determination to every routine, as a gifted student who excelled in her studies, and as an artistic soul whose creativity added color and beauty to the world around her. Those same qualities followed her into adulthood. She was kind in a way that made people feel seen, funny in a way that could lighten even the heaviest moments, and fiercely dedicated to the people and principles she held dear. Roya stood firmly in her beliefs and lived with a quiet strength that inspired those around her.

Her Christian faith was a cornerstone of her life, guiding her with grace and conviction. She loved her family deeply and without reservation—her father, Parviz Sadigh, her mother, Lois Hawkins, and her siblings, Anthony, Cyrus, and Sarah, were the heart of her world. That same devoted love extended outward to her many friends and family, all of whom felt the rare gift of being truly cared for by Roya. Though she never had the chance to meet them, her love continues through the next generation—her nieces and nephews Cameron, Hannah, Ames, Miriam, Maeve, Peyton, Jacob, and Evelyn. Three of her nieces proudly carry her name as a living tribute to the aunt they know through stories, photographs, and the lasting imprint she left on their family.

After graduating with her bachelor’s degree from Judson University, Roya stepped into a promising career in medical sales. She brought the same dedication, intelligence, and integrity to her work that she had shown as a student and athlete, and those who worked alongside her recognized the bright future that lay ahead of her.

Though her time with us was heartbreakingly brief, Roya left a lasting imprint. She was the friend who made you laugh until you cried, the sister and daughter who loved without condition, and the young woman whose fierce loyalty, artistic spirit, and gentle strength made the world feel a little brighter. At this 30th high school reunion, we gather not only in sorrow for what was lost, but in gratitude for the gift of having known her.

Roya is survived by her father, Parviz Sadigh; her mother, Lois Hawkins, and stepfather, Mark Hawkins; her siblings, Anthony, Cyrus, and Sarah; and by the many friends and family whose lives were forever touched by hers. Her memory also lives on in her nieces and nephews: Cameron, Hannah, Ames, Miriam, Maeve, Peyton, Jacob, and Evelyn.

Her memory continues to live on in the laughter she shared, the faith she carried, the beauty she created, and the love she so freely gave.

In the years since Roya’s passing, her mother, Lois Hawkins, has devoted considerable time and energy to advocating for side underride protection on large trucks. These safety measures could help prevent similar tragedies and make such collisions more survivable. Those who wish to learn more or support this important work are invited to visit stopunderrides.org.

In Memory of My Beloved Sister Roya,

Sarah Larimore

CMV Safety Summit Showcases Underride Crash Tests

CMV Safety Summit Showcases Underride Crash Tests

The FMCSA and the Institute for Transportation Research & Education at North Carolina State co-hosted of the Commercial Motor Vehicle 2026 Safety Summit in Raleigh, North Carolina August 10-11, 2026. The organizers invited AnnaLeah & Mary for Truck Safety (ALMFTS) to arrange an underride crash testing demonstration by Aaron Kiefer (Collision Safety Consulting) and a volunteer TEAM Underride Crash Test Crew — as part of the Technology Showcase held at the NC State Highway Patrol training facility on August 11.

Educational resources available to participants at the STOP Underrides/Collision Safety Consulting booth in the Exhibit Hall and the Technology Showcase are provided here digitally:

Here is Video Footage from the Crash Tests:

  • Crash test into the side of a trailer WITH a side impact/underride guard at 39 mph
  • Crash test into the side of a trailer WITHOUT a side impact/underride guard at 40 mph

Media Coverage:

We know this unique opportunity to showcase the technical feasibility of underride protection could not have been accomplished without the commitment to safety evidenced by so many people. We are grateful to the individuals and organizations whose donations made this demonstration of life-saving technology possible — including gifts given in memory of several underride victims, as well as an engineer who made significant contributions to underride research. Additionally, we are thankful to the 25 members of the TEAM Underride Crash Test Crew, who volunteered their time and skills from around the country, as well as the help and resources from the NC State Highway Patrol, AWP Safety, and the Garner Fire Department.

Recent Relevant Research Reports & Recommendations on Side Underride Guards:

Crash Test Into Side of Trailer — No Side Guard 2026 (livestreamed on Facebook) Crash testing, of a car colliding with the side of a tractor trailer at 40 mph as part of the 2026 CMV Safety Summit in Raleigh, was live streamed on Facebook by a member of the crash test crew from a spectator viewpoint on a hill above the crash course. The driver and a front seat passenger would not have survived.

[Note: This is a website post from AnnaLeahMary.com on August 12, 2026.]

Will NHTSA Finally Give An Accurate Accounting Of A Side Guard’s True Cost & Worth?

Will NHTSA Finally Give An Accurate Accounting Of A Side Guard’s True Cost & Worth?

On September 1, 2026, NHTSA published in the Federal Register a Request for Correction of Information under the Information Quality Act “Side Impact Guards for Combination Truck Trailers: Cost-Benefit Analysis” Docket No. NHTSA-2023-0012; RIN 2127-AM54, submitted to NHTSA by Eric Hein on August 29, 2026.

Request for Correction of Information IQA SIG Truck Trailers CBA NHTSA-2023-0012-2098_attachment_3

This letter, which CC’ed Mava Lewis, Office of the General Counsel at the USDOT, and Jonathan Morrison, the NHTSA Administrator, was accompanied by two documents:

I know that it took me awhile to get through Eric’s 20+ pages; he was very thorough. So I took some time to create a chart to give you a relatively quick overview of the flaws which he found in NHTSA’s 2023 Side Impact Guard Cost Benefit Analysis and the Requests for Correction which he is reasonably asking for. After all, the risk of Death By Underride is ongoing.

MyCliffsNotes – IQA SIG Request for Correction (September 2026)

I’d like to know what you think.

[Note: This is a website post from AnnaLeahMary.com on September 3, 2026.]

Waves of Action to STOP Underrides!

Waves of Action to STOP Underrides!

Add your voice to the STOP Underrides National Town Hall. On April 15, Town Hall participants heard from STOP Underrides Bill sponsors and a few families who have lost loved ones due to the preventable underride problem. Then we learned how to take simple action steps during the event to encourage our U.S. legislators to support the Stop Underrides Act.

Now we want to continue that Wave of Action. Follow these simple STOP Underrides Action Steps to send a strong message to your Members of Congress. You’ll be shown step by step how to write a simple script. Then use that script to send an email, record a video selfie, make a phone call, and post on social media.

Inspire others to do the same by using one of the sample social media posts included in the instructions. Use this virtual “sticker” on social media:

It has a QR code with a link to the email action alert — giving your viewers a simple way to add their voice and keep the Waves of Action going.

STOP Underrides National Town Hall – SAVE THE DATE

STOP Underrides National Town Hall – SAVE THE DATE

Have you lost someone close to you, or in your community, because of a truck crash? Hundreds of people die every year when pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of passenger vehicles go under trucks. 

It can happen to anyone — even if their car has a 5-Star Safety Rating — like it has happened to tens of thousands of Americans including my daughters, AnnaLeah (17) and Mary (13). It can happen to you.

Join a STOP Underrides National Town Hall via Zoom on April 15 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. You will be able to tell your U.S. Senators and Representative that you want them to pass the STOP Underrides Act of 2026. This bill will make strong underride guards mandatory so that truck crashes become more SURVIVABLE .

April 15 | 🕖 8 – 9 pm ET |RSVP HERE 

Your voice at this unique advocacy gathering can help us get this long-overdue legislation across the finish line. Please answer the questions below. We’d love to have you join TEAM Underride in this way.

Ask your Members of Congress to participate, and multiply your voice by telling others about this opportunity.

STOP Underrides National Zoom Town Hall SAVE THE DATE – FRONT & BACK

STOP Underrides Bill Re-Introduced In Senate & House

STOP Underrides Bill Re-Introduced In Senate & House

On February 4, 2026, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-9), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), and Deborah Ross (D-NC-2) introduced legislation to help prevent deadly truck underride crashes.

Sign the 2026 Petition: Tell Congress to Pass STOP Underrides 2.0 – Make Truck Crashes Survivable

Legislation was introduced in 2017, 2019, and 2021. Underride provisions were included in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. The 2026 Stop Underrides Act 2.0 would expand on current restrictions by instructing rulemaking to require side underride guards on new trucks, improving data collection, and directing additional research on underride crashes. Specifically, this bill would:

  • Require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to finalize rulemaking requiring side underride guards on commercial trucks. 
  • Restart the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Advisory Committee on Underride Protection, to provide recommendations for how to reduce underride crashes and severe injuries and fatalities caused by underrides.
  • Require the DOT to publish a website making underrides research accessible to researchers, industry, and advocates. 
  • Instruct the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the prevalence of underride incidents, including those involving the fronts of large trucks.
  • Instruct NHTSA to create free, on-demand web-based training for state and local law enforcement to better identify and document underride crashes. 
  • Instruct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the implementation of NHTSA’s 2022 rear underride rule and provide suggestions to better improve the rule. 
  • Instruct NHTSA to review its Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and correct crashes in the database that should have been classified as an underride but were not — including Vulnerable Road Users, i.e., pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.

The House bill is H.R. 7354. Its companion bill in the Senate is S. 3775. You can read the full bill text here.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Basic Underride Information

This is what the bill sponsors are saying:

“Truck underride guards are one of the best and easiest solutions for protecting passengers during collisions with large trucks,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 is commonsense legislation that will protect passengers and make our roads safer. I look forward to working across the aisle to get this passed.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing life-saving legislation to make our roads safer,” said Senator Luján. “The Stop Underrides Act will help prevent deadly underride crashes and protect families from tragic, preventable loss. I’m grateful for Senator Gillibrand’s leadership on this important issue, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill signed into law.”

“The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 would help prevent these terrible and too-often fatal truck-trailer accidents by ensuring that cars can no longer slide underneath trucks,” said Representative Cohen. “In introducing this legislation, I’m reminded of my constituents Randy and Laurie Higginbotham who lost their son in an underride crash in Memphis in 2014. The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 builds on important progress made in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will save lives by helping to end these fatal crashes.”

“With truck underride collisions claiming the lives of at least 300 people per year, the time to act on reforms is now. Small changes will make a big difference, and we cannot leave any room for error,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I am proud to join my colleagues in advancing this bill to put an end to these avoidable tragedies.”

“Requiring trucks to have underride guards is a simple way to prevent hundreds of deaths on our roads,” said Congresswoman Ross. “These guards are a proven, effective safety measure that will reduce underride crashes as well as severe injuries and fatalities caused by underrides. I have heard directly from families in my district about the lives this improvement could save. I’m proud to introduce legislation that will prevent vehicle fatalities and make our roads safer for drivers in North Carolina and across the country.”

We had the opportunity to discuss underride with our representative, Congresswoman Ross, during a 2025 Town Hall. We appreciate her responsiveness and her support of this important legislation.

In the Senate, the Stop Underrides Act 2.0 is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). This bill is supported by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, America Walks, AnnaLeah & Mary for Truck Safety, Cascade Bicycle Club, Casey Feldman Foundation, Center for Auto Safety, EndDistractedDriving.org, Families for Safe Streets, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, League of American Bicyclists, Institute for Safer Trucking, Kids and Car Safety, Ride Illinois, Ride of Silence, Road Safe America, Sylvia Bingham Fund, Safe Routes Partnership, Stop Underrides, and Truck Safety Coalition.

Rationale for Republican Support of STOP Underrides Bill

Let’s make 2026 the year we pass legislation to make truck crashes more survivable!

STOP Underrides National Town Hall – SAVE THE DATE

Rationale for Republican Support of STOP Underrides Bill

Rationale for Republican Support of STOP Underrides Bill

John Gallagher (FreightWaves) highlighted an aspect of the STOP Underrides 2.0 Bill which should be of interest to industry and Republicans:

In an effort to address long-standing complaints from the trucking industry that underride protection equipment adds weight and increases fuel costs, the new bill includes a performance standard whereby any new side underride guards must “contribute to fuel efficiency through the integration of aerodynamic design or components furthering fuel efficiency.” The provision is aimed at offsetting the operational costs of the guards by essentially requiring them to function as side skirts. Legislation would require crash protection on new trucks

However, in his description of the new bill, he also mentions that prior versions included a retrofit requirement which is not in the 2026 legislation. While it is true that previous versions of the bill, in 2017 and 2019, contained a retrofit requirement, we decided to remove that provision in the 2021 re-introduction of the STOP Underrides Bill. We did that not because we no longer thought it beneficial for the saving of lives but in order to garner broader Republican support.

Thankfully, we already had the support of Senator Marco Rubio, who had co-led underride legislation with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand since it was first introduced in 2017:

“Hundreds of individuals across the nation are lost to underride collisions every year, with Florida unfortunately ranking among the top states for reported fatalities,” Rubio said. “As a parent with kids of driving age, I look forward to working in a bipartisan fashion to advance efforts to make our roads safer.” Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Marco Rubio introduce bill to prevent truck underride deaths

In fact, we had been in discussions with Senator Richard Burr and with his staff over the years and in 2021 knew that he would become an original cosponsor if we removed the retrofit requirement.

You see, he wasn’t shortsighted; he saw the big picture. He knew that strong underride regulations would be a Win/Win situation—good for victims of truck crashes because they would have a better chance of surviving but also good for business when all relevant factors are taken into account. Although Senator Burr has retired and can no longer support this legislation, I hope that his former colleagues will see the light and follow in his footsteps.

Likewise, we’ve had conversations with Republican staff of the House T&I Committee and Senate Commerce Committee, as well as many other Republican legislators, including Senator John Thune (former Chair of the Commerce Committee), Senator Ted Cruz (current Chair of the Commerce Committee), and Senator Todd Young, who represents Indiana where three trailer manufacturers are headquartered. One of them, Wabash Trailers, proudly announced their improved rear underride guard in 2016 and showcased their side guard prototype at a trucking conference in 2017 — although they are, regrettably, not installing them on their trailers at this time.

Since we no longer have Senators Rubio and Burr to champion underride protection, I would be beyond delighted if these sitting Senators would choose to lead the way in strong Republican support of this common-sense legislation.

PBS/FRONTLINE Underride Documentary

PBS/FRONTLINE Underride Documentary

This documentary chronicles and exposes the indifference by DOT to prevent underride crashes.

Links to PBS/Frontline documentary – America’s Dangerous Trucks – & ProPublica articles:

Technology is available to protect motorists from death by underride. NHTSA must adhere to its mission – PROTECT THE MOTORING PUBLIC!!

NHTSA’s mission statement:

Our mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes, through education, research, safety standards, and enforcement.

Sign & Comment on the 2023 STOP Underrides Petition:

Secretary Pete, It’s Past Time To End Death By Underride!

Petition for NHTSA To Recall Semitrailers Due To Lack Of Side Underride Guards

Petition for NHTSA To Recall Semitrailers Due To Lack Of Side Underride Guards

On September 14, 2021, a petition was submitted to NHTSA to investigate and recall semitrailers due to the lack of side underride guards which would prevent catastrophic injuries and deaths.

Dear Secretary Buttigieg:

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 30162 and 49 C.F.R § 552.1, please find our petition to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to promptly initiate a safety defect investigation into van-type or box semitrailers because of a known safety hazard and defect from collisions with passenger vehicles and other vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists) resulting in death and significant injuries due to a lack of side underride guards. This investigation will clearly demonstrate that NHTSA should issue a recall order pursuant to 49 U.S.C. §§ 30118(b), 30119, and 30120 for all van-type and box semitrailers that lack side underride guards.  

Respectfully,

Eric Hein, Jerry & Marianne Karth, and Lois Durso

We welcome letters of support to reinforce the importance of this vital recall.

RECALL Petition Letter:

Click to access NHTSA-Side-Underride-Recall-Petition.pdf