Houston, TX — November 18, 2024, one person was injured in a car accident at about 12:50 a.m. at the intersection of Travis Street and Bell Street.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2023 Mazda CX-5 ran a red light while heading north on Travis Street, hitting a 2018 Ford F-150 that had been going east on Bell Street.

A 24-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Ford suffered suspected serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities. The other two people in the pickup were possibly injured.

The driver of the Mazda, a 33-year-old man, suffered minor injuries, according to the report.

Authorities have not released the names of those involved or any additional information about the crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that those involved deserve clear answers about what happened. That may seem simple, but in my experience, intersection collisions — especially those involving red-light violations — often raise important questions that require thorough investigation. To fully understand what led to this crash, three critical questions must be asked.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Determining exactly how and why the Mazda ran the red light is crucial. Was the driver speeding or distracted? Were traffic signals functioning correctly at the time of the crash? Did any witnesses or nearby surveillance cameras capture the sequence of events? A full investigation should confirm whether the Mazda driver simply misjudged the light or if another factor — such as fatigue, impairment or distraction — contributed to the violation.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect played a role in the crash? The Mazda CX-5 is a relatively new model, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to mechanical failures. Did the driver attempt to brake but the car failed to stop? Was there an issue with the vehicle’s acceleration or braking system? Similarly, the Ford F-150 should be examined to determine whether its safety features — such as airbags and seat belts — functioned properly, as these factors could impact the severity of injuries. Unfortunately, defect-related crashes often go unnoticed unless someone takes the time to investigate these possibilities before the vehicles are repaired or discarded.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? Both the Mazda and Ford likely contain black box data that can reveal critical crash information, such as speed, braking and steering input before impact. If retrieved, this data could confirm whether the Mazda driver attempted to stop or if the vehicle continued through the intersection without slowing. Additionally, surveillance footage from traffic cameras or nearby businesses may provide further insight. And in cases where distraction is suspected, reviewing cell phone records is essential to determining whether the Mazda driver was using a phone at the time of the crash.

At the end of the day, multiple people were injured, and the least that can be done is to ensure a full and fair investigation that leaves no stone unturned. The only way to truly understand what happened — and to provide real answers to those affected — is by asking the right questions and ensuring that every possible piece of evidence is examined.