Lonoke County, AR — April 25, 2025, One person was killed, and two were injured in a car accident that occurred around 8:10 A.M. on SH 15.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person dead and injured two others during the morning hours of April 25th. According to official reports, Bailey Winkler was traveling in a Kia Sportage on State Highway 15 in the northbound lanes near US Highway 70, when for unknown reasons the vehicle crossed the center line and struck a southbound Isuzu motorcycle occupied by David Fields and Brandon Bridgman.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Winkler had suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased, while Fields and Bridgman sustained serious injuries and they were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I hear about a crash where a vehicle crosses the center line and collides with another, resulting in one death and two serious injuries, it’s clear that we can’t just accept the surface-level facts and move on. Crashes like this demand a closer look, built around three critical questions: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? And has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

Starting with the investigation, it's important to recognize that not all crash investigations are equal. Departments across the country have different levels of resources and training, which means the thoroughness of a crash scene investigation can vary widely. A complete investigation would involve reconstructing the crash, gathering and analyzing physical evidence from the scene, and speaking to any witnesses who may have seen the vehicle drift across the center line. Without those steps, it’s easy for critical causes—like environmental factors, third-party interference, or mechanical issues—to go undetected.

Next, it’s important to consider the possibility of a vehicle defect. When a vehicle crosses over into oncoming traffic without an obvious reason, mechanical failure must be considered. Could the Kia Sportage have suffered a steering failure? Was there a problem with the tires, brakes, or suspension system that made it impossible for the driver to stay in their lane? These possibilities are real and are often overlooked unless someone insists on a forensic examination of the vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, repaired, or scrapped too soon, any evidence of a defect could be lost permanently.

Finally, there’s the question of electronic data. Modern vehicles like the Kia Sportage typically store critical information in their engine control modules—details such as speed, throttle position, braking inputs, and steering actions just before the crash. Additionally, there may be nearby traffic cameras or surveillance footage, or even cell phone data that could shed light on the moments leading up to the collision. But collecting this information isn’t automatic. Unless someone steps in to preserve the data early on, it can be lost or overwritten, leaving important questions unanswered.

One life has been lost, and two others have been seriously impacted. In situations like this, it’s not enough to simply accept that a crash happened—we owe it to those affected to ask every necessary question. Only by making sure the crash was fully investigated, vehicle defects were considered, and all the electronic data was secured can we ensure that every meaningful answer is found. Because when lives are at stake, getting the whole truth is the least we can do.