DeSoto, MO — January 18, 2025, One person was killed an another injured in a car accident that occurred around1:10 A.M. on Sunrise School Road.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left two people dead during the early morning hours of January 18th. According to official reports, a 16-year-old girl was traveling in a Ford Ranger with a 15-year-old passenger on the eastbound lanes of Sunrise School Road, when for unknown reasons the vehicle left the roadway and struck an embankment before then overturning.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that the teenage driver had been ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced deceased, and the passenger was taken to the hospital with only minor injuries reported. At this time it remains unclear what caused the accident, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may emerge in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about accidents such as this, my first thoughts are with the families of those affected. The loss of two young lives in a crash like this leaves many unanswered questions, and it is essential to ensure that every possible factor contributing to the accident is carefully examined. To uncover the full truth about what happened, three critical questions must be addressed: Did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect played a role? And has all the electronic data related to the crash been collected and preserved?

The first question focuses on the depth of the authorities’ investigation. Serious crashes, particularly those involving young drivers, require a comprehensive analysis of all contributing factors. In a case where a vehicle left the roadway, questions about the road’s design, surface conditions, visibility, and any potential hazards must be explored. Accident reconstruction experts can analyze physical evidence such as tire marks, damage patterns, and the vehicle’s trajectory to provide valuable insights into what led to the crash.

The second question asks whether a vehicle defect may have contributed to the accident. Mechanical issues, such as problems with the brakes, steering, or suspension, could potentially explain why the vehicle left the roadway. While modern vehicles are equipped with many safety features, no system is immune to failure. Exploring whether any part of the vehicle’s design or function played a role in the crash is a vital part of understanding the full picture.

The third question examines the collection and preservation of electronic data. Vehicles like the Ford Ranger are often equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs), or "black boxes," that store critical information such as speed, braking, and steering inputs leading up to the crash. This data, along with potential surveillance footage, GPS information, or cell phone records, can provide crucial details about what occurred in the moments before the accident. Securing this evidence promptly is essential to ensuring it isn’t lost or overwritten.

Answering these three questions is essential to uncovering what caused this accident and ensuring that no detail is overlooked. For the families of those who lost their lives, finding answers is a critical step toward understanding and closure. By conducting thorough investigations, examining all possible contributing factors, and preserving critical evidence, we can work toward providing clarity and preventing similar incidents in the future