Newton, TX — December 13, 2024, one person was injured in a car accident at about 12:20 a.m. on Martin Luther King Street.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2006 Chrysler 300C left the road for an unknown reason and overturned near Kerr Street.

The driver, a 21-year-old man whose name has not been made public, suffered serious injuries in the crash.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a single-vehicle crash like this happens, people often assume the driver simply lost control. But experience has shown me that many of these crashes are more complex than they first appear. To fully understand what happened, three critical questions must be asked.

The first is whether authorities have conducted a thorough investigation. A vehicle leaving the road and overturning raises several possibilities. Was there an obstacle in the roadway? Did the driver swerve to avoid another vehicle? Were road conditions, such as poor lighting or uneven pavement, a contributing factor? Investigators should document any skid marks, debris or roadway defects that may have played a role, as well as speak with any potential witnesses who might have seen what happened.

The second question is whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash. The Chrysler 300C is nearly 20 years old, which increases the likelihood of mechanical failures. Were the brakes, steering or suspension systems in proper working order? Did a tire blowout cause the driver to lose control? Many people don’t realize that vehicle defects often go undiagnosed in single-vehicle crashes because the car is quickly removed or damaged beyond examination. Ensuring a proper inspection of the vehicle could reveal issues that may have contributed to the wreck.

The third question is whether all available electronic data has been collected. While a 2006 model may not have the most advanced crash data recording capabilities, its engine control module might still contain valuable information about speed, braking, and steering inputs before the crash. Additionally, nearby businesses or traffic cameras could have captured footage of the vehicle before it left the road. Phone records may also be relevant if distraction is a possibility. The sooner this evidence is gathered, the more useful it will be in reconstructing the crash.

At first glance, this may seem like a straightforward case of a car veering off the road, but a deeper look could reveal contributing factors that aren’t immediately obvious. Making sure all possible causes are examined isn’t just important for those involved: it also helps improve road safety by identifying potential hazards that could lead to similar incidents in the future.