Randolph County, IN — February 17, 2025, Craig McKinsey was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 10:36 P.M. on County Road 1000.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left one person dead during the evening hours of February 17th. According to official reports, Craig McKinsey was travelling in a Dodge Ram on County Road 1000 in the southbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and left the roadway, striking a tree.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that McKinsey had sustained fatal injuries and he was pronounced deceased at the accident site. At this time it remains unknown what caused the vehicle to lose control, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators can provide clear answers for the loved ones of the person involved. A single-vehicle crash may seem straightforward, but experience has shown that these incidents are often more complex than they first appear. To truly understand what happened, three critical questions must be asked.

First, have authorities thoroughly investigated the crash? Law enforcement will typically document the scene, assess road conditions, and consider possible contributing factors such as weather, visibility, and roadway design. However, deeper analysis is often necessary. Were there any hazards on County Road 1000, such as debris, potholes, or slick conditions, that could have contributed to the loss of control? Were there skid marks or other signs indicating an attempt to regain control? A full accident reconstruction could help determine whether external factors played a role.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility of a vehicle defect? When a vehicle suddenly leaves the roadway, people often assume it was due to driver error, but mechanical failures—such as brake malfunctions, steering issues, or tire blowouts—can also cause a driver to lose control. Additionally, modern vehicles are designed with stability control systems intended to prevent these kinds of incidents—did those systems function properly? If the vehicle is quickly scrapped or repaired, key evidence may be lost before investigators have a chance to determine if a defect contributed to the crash.

Third, has all electronic data relating to the crash been collected? The electronic control module (ECM) in the Dodge Ram may provide key insights, including speed, braking attempts, and steering input before the crash. Additionally, nearby traffic cameras or surveillance footage from businesses along the roadway may have captured useful details. If investigators don’t secure this evidence quickly, it could be lost, making it much harder to determine exactly what led to the crash.

At the end of the day, the family of the person involved deserves clear answers. If the official investigation leaves any gaps, independent experts may be needed to ensure that every possible factor is considered. Whether the cause was environmental, mechanical, or something else entirely, the community owes it to those affected to make sure all available evidence is carefully examined.