Stanislaus County, CA — July 9, 2025, Benjamin Paul was killed and two were injured following a multi-vehicle car accident at around 10:11 p.m. on Highway 120.

According to preliminary details from the California Highway Patrol, the crash happened off the corner of CA-120 and Valley Home Road.

Investigators said that Benjamin Paul was in a Lexus going westbound on the highway. For reasons unclear, the Lexus collided with an oncoming 18-wheeler, then crashed into a Chevy SUV. As a result, Benjamin Paul was killed.

Two people from the Chevy had minor injuries. No other injuries were reported. At this time, the cause of the crash remains unconfirmed.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash involves multiple vehicles and ends with someone losing their life, it's not enough to rely on the surface details. Especially when the cause isn’t immediately clear, the depth of the investigation makes all the difference.

Did the authorities dedicate enough time, tools, and resources to the investigation?
With three vehicles involved—one of them an 18-wheeler—there’s a lot to sort through. Investigators should have reconstructed the scene in detail, examining vehicle movements, sequence of impacts, and physical evidence from the roadway. If any of that was rushed or incomplete, key facts may have already slipped through the cracks.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
If the Lexus suddenly veered into the path of a truck, it’s fair to ask whether something inside the vehicle malfunctioned. Brake failure, steering issues, or even electronic problems could have contributed. The truck and SUV should also be inspected—especially given the force involved in a crash like this. Without a full mechanical review, possible contributing factors may go unnoticed.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Each vehicle likely held valuable data—speed, braking, steering input, and possibly GPS or dashcam footage. This information can confirm timelines, show reaction attempts, or highlight missed warnings. But if investigators didn’t collect that data early, the chance to understand what really happened might already be gone.

A fatal crash with unanswered questions deserves more than assumptions. It deserves a complete review, backed by evidence and handled with care.

Takeaways:

• Multi-vehicle crashes demand full scene reconstruction and sequencing.
• Mechanical issues in any vehicle could be a contributing factor.
• Digital vehicle data is critical for understanding driver actions and timing.