Dumas, TX — July 13, 2025, one person was injured in a single-car accident at about 3:40 a.m. on U.S. Route 87 near Birge Avenue.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis was heading east when it crashed into a highway sign.

A passenger, a 26-year-old woman whose name has not been made public yet, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

The driver was not injured, the report states.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Moore County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a serious crash, it's easy to focus only on what happened and when. But when someone is badly hurt, the bigger questions tend to come later, questions about what caused the crash and whether anything could’ve been done differently. Looking beyond the surface matters, especially in single-car incidents where the full picture isn't always obvious.

Did investigators thoroughly examine the crash? When a car strikes a fixed object in the early morning hours, it’s critical that crash scene analysis goes far beyond a surface-level review. That means examining more than just skid marks or debris fields. It means understanding the vehicle’s exact movements before impact. At 3:40 a.m., visibility and fatigue might be factors, but investigators also need to examine whether the driver was alert and in control. Not all responding officers are trained in advanced crash reconstruction, and in some rural areas, limited resources can affect how much time is spent combing through key details. If the full crash dynamics weren't reconstructed, critical insights could be missing.

Was a vehicle defect considered? This car was nearly 30 years old, well beyond the age where mechanical failures become more likely. A stuck accelerator, worn-out steering components or brake failure could all contribute to a crash like this. But unless someone takes the time to inspect the vehicle for those possibilities, such defects could go unnoticed. Damage from the crash itself can obscure telltale signs, so acting quickly to preserve the car and get it checked matters.

Was all the electronic data collected? Even an older car might have aftermarket electronics, dash cams or a plugged-in phone that holds clues. And in an age where nearly everyone carries a GPS-enabled device, it’s worth asking whether phone data or traffic camera footage was reviewed. These tools can confirm whether the driver was speeding, braking or distracted at the time. Without that data, any narrative of what happened is built on guesswork.

Looking closely at single-car crashes matters because the answers aren’t always on the surface. When someone's hurt and the story doesn’t fully add up, asking the right questions is the only way to find out what really went wrong.

Key Takeaways

• Not all crash scenes get the deep dive they deserve, especially in rural areas or early morning hours.
• A car that old might have had something go wrong mechanically, but only a full inspection can confirm it.
• Even without a black box, phone and GPS data could help tell the real story.