St. Francois County, MO — July 5, 2025, One person was injured following a car accident that occurred at around 10:00 P.M. on Wright Drive.

According to reports, a Ford F-150 was traveling southbound on Wright Drive at the Hill Drive intersection, when it reportedly turned when unsafe and was struck by a four-wheeler ATV, ejecting both of its occupants.

When first responders arrive don the scene they found a 17-year-old girl seriously injured and transported her to the hospital for treatment where her condition is unknown. This remains an ongoing investigation.

Commentary

When a vehicle makes an unsafe turn and another is unable to avoid the collision, the question isn’t just what happened—it’s what allowed it to happen. Especially when an ATV is involved, and someone is seriously hurt, the investigation needs to dig deep into timing, decision-making, and mechanical performance.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
This type of crash hinges on split-second movements, which makes precise reconstruction critical. Investigators should be analyzing how the Ford F-150 approached the intersection, the timing of the turn, and whether the ATV had any chance to respond. With the ATV occupants ejected, it’s essential to document speed, distance, and impact points. Whether these details were captured correctly depends on the skill and tools available to the team at the scene.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
While driver judgment is often the focus in unsafe turn cases, mechanical failure should still be on the table. If the F-150 had a steering or turn signal issue—or if the ATV had braking or suspension problems—it could have influenced the outcome. ATV systems are particularly vulnerable to control issues, especially in emergency maneuvers. Unless both vehicles were inspected with these possibilities in mind, a contributing factor might have been overlooked.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
The F-150 likely contains electronic systems that recorded speed, steering angle, and braking before the collision. That data can help determine whether the turn was abrupt or gradual, and whether the vehicle’s systems responded as expected. GPS and phone data may also help clarify pre-crash activity. While most ATVs lack event recorders, any surveillance footage or nearby cameras could provide valuable insight. Collecting this data early is key before it’s lost.

Getting clarity on how this crash unfolded will take more than assumptions about judgment. It requires a full look at every element—from how decisions were made to whether the vehicles involved did what they were supposed to.

Takeaways:

• Unsafe turn crashes need full reconstruction to understand timing and driver response.
• Mechanical failures in either vehicle could have played a role and require inspection.
• Vehicle data and external footage may offer critical evidence about the moments before impact.