Marion County, KS — February 8, 2025, One person was killed and another injured following a car accident that occurred around 5:00 P.M. on Jade Road.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one teen dead and injured another during the evening hours of February 8th. According to official reports, a Chevy pickup was traveling on Jade Road when it traversed over some water on the roadway and lost control causing the vehicle to lose control and go off-road into a field and roll several times.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that the 16-year-old driver had sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased, and the teen passenger sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. This remains an ongoing investigation and more details from the crash may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators are doing everything they can to determine exactly what happened. While it may seem like the vehicle simply lost control due to water on the roadway, in my experience, crashes like these often have additional factors that need to be explored. To fully understand what led to this incident, there are three key questions that must be asked.

The first question is whether authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Law enforcement will likely document the crash scene, review road conditions, and gather witness statements if any are available. However, the depth of these investigations can vary depending on the resources available to the agency handling the case. Given that the vehicle rolled multiple times, accident reconstruction experts should analyze whether environmental factors, road design, or other conditions contributed to the loss of control.

The second question—one that is often overlooked—is whether a mechanical issue or vehicle defect played a role in the crash. Loss of control can sometimes be linked to tire issues, braking malfunctions, or stability problems that make a vehicle more susceptible to rollovers. Additionally, it’s important to consider whether hydroplaning was the only factor or if a mechanical failure made it more difficult for the driver to regain control. If the vehicle is not preserved for further examination, potential evidence pointing to a defect could be lost.

The final question is whether all available electronic data has been collected. Modern vehicles are equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs) that record crucial pre-crash data, including speed, braking, and steering inputs. This information can help clarify what happened in the moments leading up to the crash. Authorities should also review any available surveillance footage from nearby properties and collect cell phone data to rule out any additional contributing factors. If this evidence isn’t secured quickly, it may become unavailable.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is ensuring that those affected by this crash get answers. Serious wrecks like this can have lasting consequences, and the least the community can do is ensure that every possible explanation is explored so that the truth comes to light.