Hollister, MO — May 8, 2025, One person was injured following a car accident that occurred at around 10:20 P.M. on US Highway 65.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left one person injured during the evening hours of May 8th. According to official reports, a Volkswagen Jetta was traveling on US Highway 65 in the southbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle ran a red light and collided with a Cadillac CT4.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the driver of the Cadillac had sustained serious injuries and transported them to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released about the accident, including the identities of those involved and the status of the Cadillac driver's injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I see reports about crashes like the one on US Highway 65, where a Volkswagen Jetta allegedly ran a red light and collided with a Cadillac CT4, the public tends to assume the story begins and ends with a traffic violation. But as someone who has spent years looking into serious crashes, I can tell you that these incidents are rarely that simple. To truly understand what happened—and to ensure accountability and clarity—there are three questions we always need to ask: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? And has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

First, the question of how thoroughly the crash was investigated is essential. Running a red light is often treated as an open-and-shut case of driver error, but a complete investigation requires more than just noting the violation. It involves determining why the vehicle didn’t stop. Was the driver distracted or impaired? Were there any sightline issues with the traffic signal? Did witnesses or nearby surveillance systems confirm the sequence of events? These are not assumptions that should be made lightly. Whether or not specialized traffic investigators were brought in can make a significant difference in how these questions are answered. The reality is, not every department has those resources on hand, and without them, key details can go uncollected.

Next, it’s critical to consider the possibility of a vehicle defect. While the narrative suggests the Jetta ran a red light, we don’t yet know why the vehicle didn’t stop. Mechanical issues like brake failure, accelerator problems, or even electrical faults that affect vehicle sensors could cause a driver to unintentionally run a signal. These scenarios are rare, but they’re not impossible, and they often go undiagnosed because no one thinks to look. In the absence of a deliberate examination, it's easy to pin the entire event on human error without understanding whether the car itself played a role in what happened.

Finally, we come to the matter of electronic data. Both vehicles involved—especially modern models like the Cadillac CT4 and Volkswagen Jetta—are almost certain to have event data recorders onboard. These systems store detailed information about vehicle behavior in the moments leading up to a crash: speed, braking force, steering input, and more. That data can either confirm or challenge assumptions about what occurred at the intersection. In addition, nearby traffic cameras or private surveillance systems may have captured footage that helps establish a clear timeline. Without that information, the investigation is left to rely heavily on eyewitness accounts and physical damage alone—both of which have limitations.

Even when a crash seems to have an obvious cause, the deeper truth often lies in the details. That’s why it’s so important to ask these three questions—to ensure that every contributing factor is explored and that no possibility is overlooked. For the person injured, and for everyone who shares the road, the answers to these questions matter. They help us move beyond assumption and get to the facts.