Laredo, TX — May 18, 2025, Three people were injured following a car accident that occurred at around 3:00 P.M. on Highway 359.

According to official statements, a head-on collision occurred on westbound Highway 359 near North India between a pickup truck and a passenger vehicle, though the cause of the crash is still being determined. After impact the passenger vehicle, operated by a 20-year-old driver, caught fire.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that the driver of the pickup and a 72-year-old passenger, were critically injured. They, along with the passenger vehicle's driver, were taken to the hospital and their conditions remain unknown. Officials have not released the identities of the motorists.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a crash like this, I think most people want to know not just what happened, but why it happened. Head-on collisions raise serious questions because they don’t occur without a major breakdown in the flow of traffic or control of a vehicle. Understanding those breakdowns requires more than a report—it takes focused attention on the underlying causes that might not be obvious at first glance.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? When two vehicles collide head-on, the key issue is how one of them ended up in the wrong lane. Was the road marked clearly? Did either driver lose control on a curve, during a pass, or due to another vehicle forcing evasive action? Was speed a factor? These are questions that require careful scene analysis, not just a review of vehicle damage. Crash reconstruction can uncover what happened in the moments before impact, helping establish a reliable sequence of events.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? It’s easy to assume the driver simply made a mistake, but there are other possibilities. A steering failure, tire blowout, or malfunctioning brake system could all cause a vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic with little warning. In some cases, a vehicle's stability or handling issues under certain conditions might also be a contributing factor. These issues are not always visible from the wreckage and require a detailed inspection to detect.

Third, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Most modern vehicles contain systems that record critical information before a collision. This can include speed, steering angles, brake use, and warnings issued to the driver. In a crash involving fire, like this one, that data could be at risk unless retrieved quickly. It’s especially important when multiple people are injured and the cause of the crash is still unclear. That data may be the only way to determine whether the vehicle responded as expected or whether something else interfered.

Getting answers in a crash like this isn’t just about closing a file—it’s about understanding all the factors that contributed to the outcome. That means asking the right questions, looking deeper than surface explanations, and using every available tool to find clarity.

Key Takeaways:

• Full investigations should include lane positioning, road design, and driver response.
• Mechanical failures may contribute to head-on crashes and need detailed inspection.
• Vehicle data systems can clarify the crash sequence but must be accessed early, especially if fire is involved.