Dexter, MO — May 16, 2025, One person was injured following a car accident that occurred at around 1:15 P.M. on Route F.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person injured during the afternoon hours of May 16th. According to official reports, an 82-year-old woman was traveling on Route F in the eastbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a ditch.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the driver had sustained serious injuries and she was transported to the hospital. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the identity or status of the driver's injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a crash like this, many people are quick to assume it was simply the result of a missed stop sign. But from my experience, a crash involving a single vehicle—especially when it involves an older driver—often raises more questions than it answers. And it’s those questions, the ones that don’t always get asked, that often point to the real causes behind the wheel.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
Running a stop sign and striking a ditch may sound straightforward, but it’s important to consider whether something about the road contributed. Was the stop sign clearly visible and properly placed? Was it obscured by vegetation or glare from the sun? What were the surface conditions—wet, gravelly, or uneven? When a vehicle fails to stop, especially at a well-known intersection, it’s worth asking whether the environment played a role in limiting the driver’s ability to see or react in time. Without a detailed examination of these elements, we risk oversimplifying what might have been a more complicated event.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
A vehicle failing to stop can be a warning sign of a mechanical issue—particularly with the braking system. Did the brakes engage properly? Was there an issue with the power steering or accelerator? Vehicles that are not regularly serviced, especially older ones, may have undiagnosed mechanical problems that only show themselves at the worst possible moment. It’s also important to consider whether the vehicle’s safety systems, like forward-collision warnings or emergency braking, were working properly—if they were equipped. Without a thorough inspection of the car itself, these factors can go undetected.

Third, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Many modern vehicles store key information about driver actions and vehicle responses in the seconds leading up to a crash. That includes speed, braking force, and steering input—details that can help determine whether the driver tried to stop and how the vehicle responded. This kind of data is especially important in single-vehicle crashes, where there are few external clues to rely on. However, the data doesn’t last forever—it can be overwritten or lost if not collected quickly. Making sure it’s retrieved promptly is essential to understanding the crash in full.

Ultimately, a crash like this isn’t just a single moment of impact—it’s the result of a chain of events that may involve road design, vehicle condition, or something else entirely. Only by asking these critical questions can we begin to understand what really happened and how to keep it from happening again.

Key Takeaways:

• Even a missed stop sign deserves close examination of road visibility, signage condition, and surface hazards.
• Mechanical issues, especially with brakes or steering, can cause or worsen single-vehicle crashes and should be investigated.
• Onboard crash data may clarify whether the driver took action and how the vehicle responded—if it’s collected in time.