Gregg County, TX — May 18, 2025, Brandon Johnson was killed and two were injured in a car accident at approximately 4:15 p.m. along MLK Jr. Boulevard.

According to authorities, 69-year-old Brandon Johnson was a passenger in an eastbound Volkswagen Tiguan that was traveling eastbound on Birdsong Street at the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, a collision took place between the Tiguan and a Buick Century that had been traveling southbound on MLK Jr. Boulevard. Johnson reportedly sustained fatal injuries over the course of the accident.

The 32-year-old man who had been a passenger in the Buick and the 67-year-old woman who had been behind the wheel of the Volkswagen both sustained minor injuries, as well, according to reports. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a passenger is killed in a two-vehicle crash at a city intersection, it’s rarely just a matter of impact—it’s about what led to that moment. Understanding how two vehicles entered the same space at the same time, especially when signals or right-of-way rules should guide movement, is where the investigation needs to focus.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
Intersection collisions require close scrutiny of vehicle approach angles, speed, and whether any traffic controls—such as lights or stop signs—were in place and followed. Did either vehicle ignore a control? Was there a delay or misjudgment in entering the intersection? Were both drivers visible to each other with time to respond? Without a proper reconstruction of the scene—including measurements, diagrams, and witness accounts—the picture remains incomplete.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
Either vehicle could have suffered from a malfunction that affected driver control or response. A brake failure in the Buick, a steering issue in the Volkswagen, or even a delay in throttle control could all affect timing in the intersection. These aren’t faults that can be identified by looking at crash damage alone. A mechanical and systems-level inspection is needed to determine whether both vehicles were operating as expected. If that hasn’t been done, one possible cause may have gone unchecked.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Both the Volkswagen and the Buick are likely equipped with event data recorders that could reveal speed, brake usage, throttle input, and steering movements leading up to the impact. That data could clarify whether either driver attempted to slow or turn—or if a system failed to respond. GPS and phone records could also help establish distraction or route changes. Without securing this digital evidence, investigators risk relying on assumptions instead of verifiable facts.

When someone loses their life as a passenger, it’s often because they had no chance to change the outcome. That makes it even more important to ask the right questions and uncover every factor that may have played a role.

• Intersection crashes must be analyzed for timing, visibility, and driver actions.
• Vehicle malfunctions can disrupt decision-making or prevent safe maneuvering.
• Onboard data may show whether drivers and systems responded in time—or didn’t.