Denison, TX — February 13, 2025, Trevaughn Wilson was killed and two other people were injured in a multi-vehicle accident at about 8 a.m. on U.S. Route 75.

Authorities said a southbound minivan went across the median near Crawford Street for an unknown reason and crashed into a northbound Ford Bronco and a Ram pickup.

Minivan driver Trevaughn Wilson, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The pickup driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said, while the Ford driver suffered minor injuries.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident remains under investigation.

Commentary

When I see reports of a crash where a vehicle unexpectedly crosses a median into oncoming traffic, I know many people assume the driver simply lost control. But experience has taught me that these incidents are often more complex than they appear. Before drawing any conclusions, three key questions must be asked to ensure a complete and accurate investigation.

The first question is whether authorities conducted a thorough investigation. Crashes like this raise serious concerns because a vehicle leaving its lane and entering opposing traffic is not a typical driving error. Investigators should examine whether road conditions, weather or an unexpected obstacle caused the driver to swerve. Did the road have adequate barriers or rumble strips to prevent median crossings? Were there skid marks indicating the driver tried to correct their path? A proper investigation should go beyond assumptions and analyze the physical evidence to determine what led to the loss of control.

The second question is whether a vehicle defect played a role in the crash. The fact that the minivan veered into oncoming traffic for an unknown reason suggests that authorities don’t yet have a clear explanation. Mechanical failures — such as brake issues, steering malfunctions or tire blowouts — can cause sudden loss of control. Additionally, certain vehicle models have been recalled for stability and suspension problems that could contribute to a crash like this. The only way to know for sure is to conduct a forensic examination of the vehicle before it is scrapped or repaired. Unfortunately, defect-related crashes are often overlooked because most people assume driver error is the sole cause.

The third question is whether all electronic data has been collected. The minivan’s engine control module could provide critical details about the moments before impact, such as speed, braking patterns and steering inputs. If the driver attempted to correct their course but the vehicle didn’t respond properly, that could point to a mechanical issue. Additionally, nearby traffic cameras or surveillance footage might provide further insight into how the crash unfolded. If authorities don’t act quickly to secure this data, valuable evidence could be lost.

At the end of the day, crashes like this demand a full and thorough investigation to determine what happened. A proper analysis of physical evidence, potential vehicle defects and electronic data is the only way to ensure those affected get the full story. When a life is lost, the least the community owes the victim's family is a complete and accurate explanation of why the crash occurred.