Marion County, SC — April 19, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred around 8:26 A.M. on S. Highway 41.

An investigation is underway following  a car accident that left one person dead during the morning hours of April 19th. According to official reports, a Dodge Journey was traveling on South Highway 41 near Haven Wood Road, when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and left the roadway where it struck a ditch and culvert before then rolling over.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the driver had sustained fatal injuries and they were pronounced deceased. At this time there has been no further information released about the accident, including the identity of the driver or what caused the vehicle to lose control, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle leaves the roadway and rolls over, especially in a case that results in a fatality, it's common for people to presume the driver simply made a mistake. But real-world crash investigations are rarely that simple. In order to determine what truly led to this devastating outcome, three critical questions must be answered—questions that go beyond surface assumptions and reach toward understanding the full context of the event.

The first question is whether the authorities conducted a thorough investigation. In situations where a vehicle travels off the road, strikes fixed objects like a ditch and culvert, and ultimately rolls over, the scene should be carefully reconstructed. Investigators should assess whether tire marks or roadway conditions contributed to the vehicle’s path, whether mechanical issues were suspected, and whether the vehicle’s final position offers insight into how it lost control. Not all departments have access to the same level of training or resources for this kind of detailed analysis, so it’s important to determine whether any limitations may have affected the scope of the initial investigation. If those critical steps weren’t taken, a second, independent review may be necessary to fill in the gaps.

Second, we must consider whether a vehicle defect could have played a role in the crash. A sudden loss of control might be due to driver error, but it could also indicate something more subtle and serious, like a steering failure, brake malfunction, or suspension issue. Rollovers can also be influenced by a vehicle’s design—some models are more prone to tipping under certain conditions. The only way to uncover these possibilities is through a detailed forensic inspection of the vehicle. Unfortunately, unless someone acts quickly to preserve the vehicle, it may be repaired or scrapped before experts have the chance to examine it, and with it, any physical evidence of a defect may disappear.

The third essential question is whether all available electronic data from the vehicle has been collected. Most modern vehicles, including those like the Dodge Journey, are equipped with an Electronic Control Module (ECM), often referred to as the “black box.” These devices store vital pre-crash data such as speed, brake application, steering input, and throttle position. That data can help clarify whether the vehicle responded appropriately to driver commands or if a mechanical failure contributed to the crash. Additionally, investigators should consider whether any dash cams, nearby surveillance systems, or GPS data could offer further insight into what happened. But this kind of data is time-sensitive—it must be secured promptly to avoid being lost or overwritten.

In any fatal crash, especially one where the cause is unclear, we must take a step back and look beyond what seems obvious. It’s not enough to know that a crash happened—we must understand why it happened. Answering these three questions is essential not just for legal clarity, but for honoring the life that was lost and ensuring that no critical detail goes unexamined.