Travis County, TX — January 5, 2025, Antonio De La Pena was injured as the result of a motorcycle accident at around 12:37 a.m. along Old San Antonio Road.

Emergency services were called out to south Austin in the area of the Old San Antonio Road and Twin Creek Road intersection.

According to officials, 22-year-old Antonio De La Pena was on a Yamaha motorcycle traveling along Old San Antonio Road. Due to events which aren't clear right now, the motorcycle ended up running off the side of the road. There, it crashed along a fence.

De La Pena sustained serious injuries as a result of the accident. Authorities did not mention anyone else being involved in the accident. No further information is available right now.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Across my more than thirty year career, I've received countless calls from people feel investigations into their accident weren't taken seriously. Two types of accidents make up a significant portion of those calls: motorcycle wrecks and single-vehicle wrecks. The simple reality is authorities often jump to conclusions about the drivers actions, rather than actually sitting down and examining the evidence closely. That's why I learned a long time ago that it can be crucial to ask a few key questions and gauge the responses authorities come up with.

For example, did authorities have the time, tools, and resources to thoroughly investigate the crash? A motorcycle running off the road could be caused by a range of factors, such as road hazards, poor visibility, or an evasive maneuver to avoid something unexpected. Did investigators examine the scene carefully—documenting things like skid marks, debris, or obstacles in the road—or did they narrowly focus solely on the driver's possible actions?

Another important question is whether a vehicle defect could have played a role. Mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions, steering issues, or problems with the suspension, can cause a rider to lose control. Additionally, failures in safety equipment can worsen the injuries sustained in a crash. A forensic inspection is necessary to rule out any defects, but not all departments have the facilities to conduct such an inspection on their own.

Finally, was electronic evidence secured and reviewed? While motorcycles don’t always store as much onboard data as larger vehicles, some do have systems that log key information like speed or braking inputs before a crash. Beyond that, GPS data, cellphone records, or surveillance footage from nearby properties could help clarify what caused the rider to leave the road. Securing this evidence quickly is vital to preserve valuable insights.

If authorities can provide satisfactory answers to these sorts of questions, it's likely because they've been taking the investigations seriously. I've certainly had cases where independent investigations confirmed authorities did a good job. However, I've also had countless cases where authorities couldn't provide clear answers, and the independent investigations caught important details authorities missed. It remains to be seen what sorts of answers might come up if this accident received further attention.