Houston, TX — December 1, 2024, Alara Okopie was injured in a car accident at about 3 a.m. on Interstate 610.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2015 Nissan Sentra and a 2022 Ford F-150 collided while headed west on Loop 610 when one of them changed lanes when it was unsafe.

Nissan driver Alara Okopie, 28, suffered suspected serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities. A 30-year-old woman in her vehicle may have been injured as well.

The 24-year-old man who was driving the Ford pickup and two young children were not injured, the report states.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash near North Durham Drive.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I see reports of a crash like this, my first thought is that those involved — especially the injured driver and her loved ones — deserve clear answers about what happened. A multi-vehicle collision caused by an unsafe lane change raises serious questions, and in my experience, these incidents often involve more complexity than they first appear. Before any conclusions can be reached, three key areas need further investigation.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? When a crash occurs due to a lane change, it’s critical to establish which driver initiated the maneuver and whether they had enough space to do so safely. Did investigators examine lane markings, tire tracks and vehicle positions to determine the sequence of events? Were there witnesses or nearby surveillance cameras that could clarify who made the unsafe lane change? Without a full accident reconstruction, it’s difficult to say with certainty what led to the collision.

Second, has anyone looked into whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? Both the Nissan Sentra and the Ford F-150 are modern vehicles equipped with various safety features, but mechanical failures can still occur. Did the steering or braking systems function as expected? Some vehicles have been known to experience unintended lane drift due to electronic stability or lane-assist malfunctions. If the driver of either vehicle attempted to correct course but the car failed to respond, a forensic inspection would be necessary to rule out a mechanical or electronic failure.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? Both vehicles likely have engine control modules (ECMs) that store key information such as speed, braking and steering inputs before the crash. Retrieving this data could help determine whether the driver who made the lane change tried to avoid the collision or if the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, investigators should check for any nearby traffic or surveillance cameras that may have captured footage of the crash. Phone records should also be reviewed to determine whether distraction played a role.

At the end of the day, at least one person suffered serious injuries in this crash, and she deserves to know exactly what happened. A full and thorough investigation is the only way to ensure that no key details are overlooked. If any of these three questions remain unanswered, we simply don’t have the full story.