New Braunfels, TX — December 13, 2024, Crystal Cronin and one other person were injured in a car accident at about 2:05 p.m. on State Highway 46.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2016 Ram 5500 towing another truck and a trailer failed to secure its load, causing a crash that involved a 2002 Honda Accord and a 2008 Honda Pilot near Krause Lane.

Pilot driver Crystal Cronin, 45, and the 36-year-old man driving the Accord suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this point.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope those involved get clear answers about what happened. The preliminary report suggests that an improperly secured load played a role, but in cases like these, initial explanations don’t always tell the whole story. That’s why three key questions should guide any investigation.

First, did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? While the report mentions an unsecured load, a full investigation should confirm whether that was the only contributing factor. Did law enforcement reconstruct the accident to determine the precise chain of events? Were there any eyewitnesses or video footage that could clarify how the crash unfolded? Given that multiple vehicles were involved and two people were seriously injured, it’s critical to ensure that all possible factors — including road conditions and driver actions — are examined.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? Load-securing failures are often attributed to human error, but mechanical issues can also play a role. Was there a malfunction in the Ram’s hitch, trailer brakes or securing mechanisms? Could a defect in any of the involved vehicles have influenced how they responded during the crash? These questions can only be answered through a detailed forensic examination, yet vehicle defects are often overlooked if investigators assume the cause is purely operator error.

Lastly, has all the electronic data from the crash been preserved? All three vehicles may have engine control modules that store data on speed, braking and steering inputs. This information could clarify whether the drivers had time to react or if mechanical failures played a role. Additionally, surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras may provide visual evidence, while cell phone records could help rule out distractions. The sooner this data is collected, the more reliable it will be in determining what truly happened.

At the end of the day, serious crashes like this leave those involved with more questions than answers. Ensuring that the investigation is thorough, exploring all possible causes and preserving all available data are the best ways to provide clarity. When lives are impacted by a crash, the least the community can do is ensure that every avenue has been explored to explain why it happened.