DeSoto, TX — October 26, 2025, Marlene Bautista was injured in a car accident at about 6:45 p.m. in the 500 block of North Cockrell Hill Road.

A preliminary accident report indicates that an eastbound 2013 Volkswagen Touareg collided with a southbound 2013 Ford Fiesta while turning left from Silver Creek Drive.

Ford driver Marlene Bautista, 20, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report. Her passengers, a 42-year-old woman and a 22-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries.

The Volkswagen driver, who was not injured, was cited for failing to yield, the report states.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Dallas County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a serious car crash, one of the hardest things to accept is how quickly critical facts can slip through the cracks. Decisions made in the first few hours often shape the entire understanding of what happened, but that doesn’t mean those decisions always get it right.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? When one driver gets cited on the spot, like for failing to yield, it’s fair to ask whether that conclusion came after a deep dive or just a surface-level look. A true investigation would involve more than assigning blame based on positioning. It should include things like recreating the movement of both vehicles, checking nearby surveillance footage and interviewing all witnesses, not just the drivers. Unfortunately, depending on who responds, the depth of that work can vary. Some officers are trained in crash reconstruction, but many are not, and that gap can leave real questions unanswered.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Even when fault seems clear, it’s still worth considering whether something under the hood played a part. A faulty turn signal, failing brakes or even engine lag in either vehicle could change how we understand that intersection moment. The Touareg and the Fiesta are over a decade old. That’s plenty of time for wear, recalls or unnoticed issues to develop. If nobody inspected both vehicles mechanically after the crash, then part of the story might still be missing.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? These days, the black box in a vehicle can show whether someone braked, accelerated or swerved, and when. That kind of information can confirm or contradict what people say happened. Same goes for nearby traffic cameras or phone data, which might show distractions or speeding. If no one pulled that data, then key moments from just before impact could remain guesswork.

Crashes like this deserve a closer look not just to assign blame, but to understand what really happened. A thorough investigation doesn’t just rely on what’s visible. It digs into what isn’t obvious, too.

Key Takeaways:

• Quick citations don’t always mean a full investigation was done.
• Older vehicles may have hidden mechanical issues that need inspecting.
• Electronic data could fill in crucial gaps, but only if someone checks.