Reaction speed of a snail? Did not even see it? Good it was at least not a person?

“That parked car came out of nowhere”

In all seriousness, reading the article seems like the lorry, or truck (for North Americans), was parked in a layby. From what I understand a layby is very similar as to “parking on the shoulder”, but in a “designated area”, so the lorry/truck was parked “legally”. The article does not say anything about “safely”.

I can see a person unintentionally drifting out of their lane and hitting the back of a car parked on the shoulder or in a layby unfortunately, especially at higher speeds. Fairly common occurrence, such as a cop car being rear ended when doing a traffic stop.

Personally in north america the “rest areas” that I am personally familiar with are further off the main road with a proper exit ramp and on ramp back to the main road. I feel IMO this is safer design then pulling over on a high-speed road or on the side of a Highway, for both parties.

Hope the driver makes a full recovery, and the driver of the lorry is okay.