Hidalgo County, TX — November 15, 2024, Caden Johnson was injured in a motorcycle versus pickup accident at approximately 11:30 p.m. along Interstate Highway 2.

According to authorities, 22-year-old Caden Johnson was traveling on a westbound Suzuki motorcycle on I.H. 2 in the vicinity of McColl Road when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a westbound Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck attempted a lane change at an apparently unsafe time. A collision subsequently took place between the motorcycle and the left-front quarter of the pickup truck.

Johnson suffered serious injuries over the course of the accident, according to reports. It does not appear that anyone else was hurt. 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 I read about a crash like the one in Hidalgo County that left Caden Johnson seriously injured, many people might assume it was just a case of one driver misjudging a lane change. While that is certainly possible, my experience has shown that these types of accidents can be more complicated than they first appear. Instead of making assumptions, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure that all potential contributing factors are properly examined. To that end, there are three critical questions that need to be considered.

First, did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Not all law enforcement agencies have the same level of training or resources for accident investigations, and some crashes receive more scrutiny than others. Did investigators gather witness statements, check for video footage, or analyze roadway conditions that may have contributed to the crash? A thorough investigation is key to understanding exactly what happened.

Second, has anyone explored the possibility of a vehicle defect? If either vehicle experienced a mechanical issue—such as faulty brakes, an accelerator problem, or a malfunctioning blind spot detection system—it could have contributed to the crash. Unfortunately, unless someone specifically requests a forensic examination, these issues are often overlooked. If the vehicles are quickly repaired or totaled, any evidence of a defect may be lost before it can be analyzed.

Lastly, have investigators gathered all available electronic data? Many modern vehicles are equipped with event data recorders (EDRs) that store crucial details like speed, braking, and steering inputs leading up to a crash. This data could help determine whether the driver of the pickup signaled the lane change, whether the motorcycle attempted to avoid the collision, or if any other unexpected variables were at play. Additionally, security or traffic camera footage in the area could provide vital context. If this evidence isn’t secured quickly, it may be lost, making it harder to determine the full circumstances of the accident.

At the end of the day, answering these questions could be essential to understanding what really happened and why. A thorough examination of all three of these issues—including the quality of police investigations, possible vehicle defects, and electronic data—is the least that can be done to ensure that those affected by the crash receive the clarity they deserve.