Kelleys Island, OH — May 26, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 2:00 A.M. on West Lakeshore Dr.

An investigation is underway after a single vehicle accident left one person dead early Monday morning. According to reports, a Mustang operated by Wesley Finley was traveling westbound on West Lakeshore Drive when the vehicle lost control and struck multiple fencepost and a dock before overturning.

First responders arrived and found the vehicle partially submerged in Lake Erie, and Finley was pronounced deceased. So far there has been no indication that any other vehicles were involved in the crash, and the status of the investigation is currently unknown.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a crash like this, I think most people are left with one central question: how did it happen? When a vehicle leaves the roadway, strikes multiple objects, and ends up overturned and partially submerged, it suggests a serious breakdown in control—but the reason behind that breakdown isn’t always clear from initial reports. To understand what really led up to the crash, we have to look deeper and ask a few key questions.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A single-vehicle incident involving a loss of control and multiple impacts can be influenced by several factors: was the road wet, poorly lit, or uneven? Were there sharp turns or signage issues along that stretch of West Lakeshore Drive? Even the layout of the dock and proximity to the water are important pieces of the puzzle. Without a full reconstruction of the crash path and scene, critical contributing conditions could be overlooked.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When a car behaves unpredictably—especially one that ends up leaving the road and overturning—it’s worth considering whether something went wrong mechanically. A failure in the steering system, suspension, or braking components could make it difficult for a driver to keep control, particularly at higher speeds or under stress. In some cases, electrical or throttle control issues can also cause a vehicle to accelerate or swerve without input. These types of defects are rarely obvious and require a thorough inspection.

Third, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Vehicles like the Mustang are often equipped with systems that track driver input and vehicle response in the seconds before a crash. This includes speed, braking, steering actions, and whether any warning systems were activated. That information can confirm whether the driver was reacting to something unexpected or if the vehicle was operating outside of normal limits. In crashes that involve submersion, retrieving this data quickly is essential—it can degrade or become inaccessible after water exposure.

A single-vehicle crash doesn’t always mean a single cause. By looking at the conditions, the vehicle itself, and the data it contains, investigators can begin to piece together a clearer picture. That’s how we move beyond assumptions and closer to understanding what truly happened.

Key Takeaways:

• Road conditions and design should be evaluated as potential factors in loss of control.
• Vehicle malfunctions can mimic driver error and need to be inspected for possible defects.
• Electronic data may reveal vehicle behavior before the crash and must be retrieved promptly, especially after water exposure.