Fayette County, TX — March 29, 2025, a child was injured in a car accident at about 6:10 p.m. on U.S. Route 77 north of La Grange.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2025 Ram 1500 was headed south it hit a culvert on the left side of the road and overturned.

A 12-year-old girl who was a passenger in the truck was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report, while the driver, a 37-year-old man from Shriner, suffered minor injuries. An 11-year-old girl was listed as having possible injuries.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Fayette County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope the injured children and their family receive the medical care and answers they need. A pickup truck leaving the roadway, hitting a culvert and overturning is more than a simple case of driver error: it’s a serious event that demands a close look at how and why it happened. In cases where children are injured and the vehicle rolls over, it’s especially important to examine every potential contributing factor. To fully understand what happened on U.S. Route 77 north of La Grange, we need to ask three critical questions.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A vehicle leaving the road and striking a fixed object like a culvert suggests a loss of control, but it’s crucial to understand what caused that in the first place. Was the driver avoiding another vehicle or obstacle? Were there any issues with visibility, road surface or signage? Were there tire marks or signs of evasive maneuvers that would suggest a last-second reaction? Without a thorough reconstruction of the crash scene, it’s difficult to determine whether the incident was avoidable, or whether environmental or roadway factors played a part.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect may have contributed to the crash or its severity? The 2025 Ram 1500 is a new vehicle, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of mechanical or electronic failure. Did the steering or brakes malfunction? Were stability control systems functioning properly? And in a rollover crash, one of the most important questions is whether the vehicle's design adequately protected the occupants. Were the seatbelts and airbags working as intended? Did the roof structure perform as it should have during the rollover? These questions can only be answered with a detailed forensic examination of the vehicle, which should be preserved as part of the investigation.

Finally, has all the electronic data related to the crash been collected? The Ram’s engine control module almost certainly contains valuable pre-crash data: vehicle speed, throttle position, braking activity and steering inputs. This information can help confirm whether the driver was in control before the crash and whether the vehicle responded properly to any input. If the occupants were using GPS-enabled devices, that data could also help reconstruct the vehicle’s path and timeline. This kind of digital evidence is time-sensitive and must be retrieved quickly to avoid being lost or overwritten.

Crashes involving children are always deeply concerning, and this one deserves a full and thorough investigation. A young girl suffered serious injuries, and another may have been hurt as well: outcomes that demand more than a quick conclusion about what likely happened. By asking the right questions, preserving the vehicle and collecting all relevant data, we can give the family the clarity and accountability they deserve.