Dallas County, TX — January 10, 2025, three people were injured in a single-car accident at approximately 9:30 p.m. along the President George Bush Turnpike.

According to authorities, three people—a 38-year-old man, a 22-year-old woman, and an infant boy—were traveling in a northwest bound Lincoln MKZ on the President George Bush Turnpike in the vicinity of Campbell Road when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the Lincoln was involved in a single-vehicle collision in which it struck a guardrail. The woman—who had been a passenger in the vehicle—reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. The man and the baby suffered minor injuries, as well, according to reports. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identities of the victims—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a single-vehicle crash results in serious injuries, particularly to a passenger as reportedly occurred on the President George Bush Turnpike, it's easy to assume the cause lies with driver error. But in my experience, these assumptions often overlook critical factors that deserve attention. To truly understand what happened—and ensure that nothing important is missed—there are three key questions that every serious crash investigation must answer.

First, did authorities thoroughly examine the scene and vehicle to understand what led to the crash? Striking a guardrail on a major tollway raises questions about road conditions, visibility, vehicle speed, and possible evasive maneuvers. Was the driver reacting to another vehicle or a roadway hazard? Were there weather or lighting conditions that could have interfered with safe driving? Investigators should have documented impact points, skid marks, debris patterns, and any nearby surveillance or traffic camera footage that could clarify how the vehicle lost control.

Second, has anyone looked into whether a mechanical failure contributed to the crash? A loss of steering control, a brake system failure, or even a tire blowout in a vehicle like a Lincoln MKZ can cause sudden and unexpected loss of control—especially at highway speeds. Additionally, when a passenger suffers serious injuries, it's important to evaluate whether seat belts, airbags, and child restraint systems worked as intended. These questions can't be answered by looking at the crash site alone; they require a detailed forensic inspection of the vehicle while it’s still in its post-accident condition.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? Most modern vehicles, including the Lincoln MKZ, are equipped with event data recorders that log critical information like vehicle speed, throttle position, braking, and steering input in the moments leading up to a crash. That data can help determine whether the driver took evasive action, whether the car responded properly, and what may have caused the loss of control. Investigators should also seek out dashcam footage, GPS data, and cell phone records that could provide additional insight into what was happening inside and around the vehicle before the crash.

Answering these three questions is critical to making sure that no stone is left unturned in understanding the causes of a crash like this. Serious wrecks deserve serious investigation, not assumptions. Getting clear answers to these questions is crucial for those seeking to understand what happened and why—and it's the least that can be done to help those affected find the clarity and closure they deserve.