Deptford, NJ — April 16, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 12:11 A.M. on Route 55.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left a teenager dead during the early-morning hours of April 16th. According to official reports, a 17-year-old was traveling in a Toyota Camry on Route 55 in the southbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and left the roadway and struck a tree and a concrete pillar.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the driver had sustained fatal injuries and he was pronounced deceased. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including what caused the vehicle to lose control, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a young driver loses their life in a single-vehicle crash, the instinct for many is to conclude that inexperience or driver error was to blame. But experience has shown that such assumptions can obscure more important truths. In this early-morning crash, where a Toyota Camry left Route 55 and struck both a tree and a concrete pillar, the only responsible path forward is to ask three key questions: Did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect may have played a role? And has all the electronic data from the vehicle been collected?

The first step is evaluating the depth of the investigation. Single-vehicle crashes, particularly those involving teenagers, are often labeled as straightforward. But a proper investigation should never settle for the simplest explanation without first ruling out every other possibility. Investigators need to analyze the road’s design, the condition of the pavement, visibility, weather at the time, and any physical evidence such as tire marks or debris. When a vehicle veers off the road and impacts fixed objects like a tree and a concrete pillar, the trajectory and speed must be reconstructed with care to understand what truly occurred in those final moments.

The second question is whether a mechanical or electronic failure contributed to the crash. Vehicles can experience sudden failures that take control out of the driver’s hands—whether it’s a steering issue, brake malfunction, or electronic throttle irregularity. Even the best drivers can’t overcome certain types of mechanical defects. The Toyota Camry, like many vehicles, has seen its share of recalls and reported issues over the years. But those concerns won’t be part of the investigative record unless someone takes deliberate steps to examine the vehicle for failures. It’s a step that is too often skipped, especially when the vehicle is written off and no one preserves the evidence for further inspection.

Lastly, electronic data is one of the most valuable tools available in a modern crash investigation. The Camry likely contains an electronic control module (ECM) capable of capturing key pre-crash information—such as speed, throttle position, brake usage, and steering input. This data can help establish whether the vehicle behaved normally or if a mechanical issue was involved. But the ECM must be accessed quickly, before the data is lost or overwritten. In addition, authorities should be exploring any possible phone data, dash cameras, or nearby surveillance footage to round out the timeline and clarify events.

Every crash involving a young driver is tragic, but we do those affected a disservice if we stop at assumptions. A complete investigation, an examination of the vehicle’s condition, and careful collection of digital data are not optional—they’re necessary. The goal should always be to uncover the truth, not to reinforce expectations. That’s what justice demands, and it’s the least we owe to the families left behind.