Dallas County, TX — January 14, 2026, two people were injured due to a car accident shortly before 3:15 p.m. along Interstate Highway 35E.

According to authorities, two people—a 31-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman—were traveling in a southbound Lexus ES on I-35E just north of Ledbetter Drive when the accident took place.

The Lexus allegedly had a defective steering mechanism, according to reports. Officials indicate that it was consequently involved in a collision with the rear-end of a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck and the right-front quarter of a Ford Fusion.

Both occupants of the Lexus reportedly sustained serious injuries as a result of the wreck. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identities of the victims—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a serious crash happens on a busy interstate in the middle of the afternoon, there’s often more than one story unfolding. Beyond the noise of traffic and flashing lights, the real question is whether all the facts are being uncovered—especially when early reports point to a possible vehicle defect.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?

Multi-vehicle collisions in heavy traffic deserve a close look, particularly when something like a steering issue is suspected. Did investigators take the time to reconstruct how the Lexus moved before impact? Were lane positions mapped, impact angles studied, and driver behavior reviewed? It’s not uncommon for initial reports to gloss over the technical details, especially if investigators are under time pressure or lack specialized training. But without careful work at the scene, the root cause can stay buried.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?

It’s notable that reports already reference a steering problem. That alone should have triggered an immediate mechanical inspection. Was the Lexus’s steering system actually defective, or is that just speculation? Power steering failures, electronic malfunctions, or worn components can all make a vehicle unresponsive, and without documentation, it’s easy for critical evidence to be lost. The real danger here is assuming the problem is known without confirming it through a detailed, hands-on evaluation.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

A modern car like the Lexus ES holds a wealth of data that can help verify or contradict the steering failure claim. Event data recorders could show whether the driver was attempting to steer or brake, and whether the car responded. GPS data might confirm erratic movement or a sudden shift in direction. If driver input didn’t match the vehicle’s behavior, that’s a clear sign something went wrong mechanically. The challenge is ensuring this data is preserved before it's overwritten or lost.

Crashes that may involve defective equipment shouldn’t be left to guesswork. Whether it was a true failure or a misunderstanding, only a thorough, data-driven investigation can bring clarity to what actually happened—and why.

• Crashes involving multiple vehicles and possible defects require deeper scene analysis.
• Early claims about mechanical failure need immediate inspection to confirm.
• Vehicle data can support or disprove defect claims, but only if collected in time.