San Antonio, TX — January 14, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 12:15 A.M. on Pleasanton Rd.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left one person dead during the early morning hours of January 14th. According to official reports, a 19-year-old left Pyron Avenue and was evading police when ended up on Pleasanton Road and lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail and a woman who was walking.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that the woman had sustained critical injuries which she succumbed to and was pronounced deceased. This accident remains under investigation therefore more details may be released later, including the identity of the deceased woman.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about an accident like this, my first thought is for the family and community affected, and my hope is that the investigation provides clear answers. While the circumstances of this crash—an individual losing control of a vehicle during a police pursuit—may appear straightforward, experience shows that even seemingly clear-cut cases often have layers of complexity. To uncover the full truth, three critical questions must be addressed.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? According to reports, the driver was fleeing police when the vehicle veered off Pleasanton Road, struck a guardrail, and collided with a woman who was walking nearby. While the police pursuit is an important aspect, it is critical to examine whether the investigation delves beyond that immediate context. For example, did investigators reconstruct the crash to determine the exact sequence of events? Have they spoken with potential eyewitnesses, including individuals in the area at the time, to verify details beyond law enforcement’s observations? Thorough investigations ensure that all contributing factors—such as road conditions or other hazards—are identified and accounted for.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When someone is evading police, it is easy to attribute the crash entirely to reckless driving. However, mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions, steering defects, or tire blowouts, can also cause or contribute to a loss of control. These issues are often overlooked because diagnosing them requires a detailed forensic examination of the vehicle, including testing in a controlled environment. For this reason, preserving the vehicle is essential. Without such an examination, we may never know if a defect played a role in this crash.

Finally, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles are equipped with Electronic Control Modules (ECMs), which collect and store data on various aspects of the vehicle’s operation. This data includes information such as speed, braking patterns, steering input, and whether seat belts were engaged at the time of the crash. Retrieving and analyzing the ECM data could provide crucial insights into the vehicle’s behavior in the moments leading up to the collision.

Additionally, other sources of electronic data must be examined. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras could provide critical context for the driver’s actions and the circumstances of the crash. Cell phone records could also help determine whether distractions contributed to the driver losing control. Collecting and preserving this data promptly is crucial because it can degrade or become inaccessible, leaving key questions unanswered.

Answering these three questions is essential to fully understand what happened and ensure that all contributing factors are considered. The loss of life in this case reminds us of the profound impact such events have on individuals and communities. By committing to a thorough investigation, we honor that loss and provide clarity to those left searching for answers.