Newton County, MO — September 3, 2025, Three people were injured following a car accident that occurred at around 3:30 P.M. on MO 86.

According to reports, a Chevy 1500 was traveling west on MO-86 when for unknown it struck a Subaru Outback before then crossing into the opposite lane and colliding with a Ford Explorer.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found the driver and passenger of the Chevy and the driver of the Ford injured, and transported them to the hospital for treatment. The identities of the motorists, as-well-as the status of the investigation, have not been released by officials.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle strikes one car, then crosses into oncoming traffic and collides with another, the real question is what triggered the first impact and why control was lost so completely. Multi-vehicle crashes like this can look chaotic, but with proper investigation, the sequence of events can be untangled.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
It’s not yet clear whether investigators performed a detailed reconstruction or simply recorded the wreckage. A full review should map the Chevy’s path, analyze impact points with both vehicles, and determine whether braking or evasive maneuvers were attempted. Investigators also need to consider whether the driver of the Chevy experienced distraction, fatigue, or even a sudden medical issue. Without this work, too much of the explanation risks being left to speculation.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
When a truck collides with multiple vehicles in quick succession, a mechanical problem can’t be ruled out. A steering failure, brake malfunction, or tire blowout could explain why the Chevy veered first into the Subaru and then into opposing traffic. Without a careful inspection of the vehicle, evidence of a defect could be overlooked, leaving behind an incomplete picture of what caused the sequence of collisions.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
All three vehicles may carry event data recorders capable of showing speed, braking, steering, and other driver inputs in the seconds before impact. That information could clarify whether the Chevy’s driver tried to correct course or if the truck failed to respond. Traffic cameras, dashcams, GPS data, and phone records can also provide crucial context about what was happening before the first collision.

Chain-reaction crashes like this are rarely as simple as they appear. The difference between guesswork and real answers comes down to whether investigators are willing to look beyond the obvious and examine every available piece of evidence.

Key takeaways:

• Multi-vehicle crashes require full reconstruction to clarify the sequence of events.
• Mechanical failures in the Chevy could explain the initial and subsequent impacts.
• Vehicle data, cameras, and phone records are essential to moving past assumptions.