Motorist dies, truck driver arrested after Cambrai crash between truck, two cars

A 59-year-old man has died and a 33-year-old man has been arrested after a shocking crash between a truck and two cars.

Police investigating the collision between a truck and two cars outside of Cambrai, on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Picture: Matt Loxton

A man has died after a horror head-on crash between two cars and a truck in the state’s Mid Murray area on Sunday afternoon.

Emergency services rushed to Ridley Road in Cambrai – 30 kilometres outside of Mannum – around 1.15pm following the three-vehicle collision.

The two cars – a Toyota SUV and a Holden SUV – both rolled after colliding with the semi-trailer, which was believed to be heading north and carrying large rain water tanks.

A 59-year-old Sedan man, who was driving the Toyota, died at the scene.

A 33-year-old Salisbury Plain truck driver and a 69-year-old Meadows man were both flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. It’s understood the driver of the truck – which lost its load – was initially trapped.

Major Crash investigators examined the scene and following their investigation, the truck driver was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing harm by dangerous driving.

He was granted bail to appear in the Berri Magistrates Court on August 11 and issued with an immediate loss of licence.

A 59-year-old from Sedan died in the three-vehicle crash Picture: Matt Loxton

The truck driver has been arrested. Picture: Matt Loxton

The confronting crash scene reportedly stretched more than 500m. Ridley Rd between Cambrai Rd and Angas Valley Rd was closed for several hours while the investigation took place.

Diversions were in place for most of the day, with other truckies forced to find another route.

“The police officer said: ‘You have to stop and wait nine hours’, but we can’t,” truck driver Simrandeep Singh told 9News.

The man’s life is the 31st life lost on South Australians roads this year.

Originally published as Motorist dies, truck driver arrested after Cambrai crash between truck, two cars