Pharr, TX — December 15, 2024, a pedestrian was injured in a car accident at about 2:15 a.m. on westbound Interstate 2.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado was headed west near West Egly Avenue when it hit a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, a 27-year-old man whose name has not been made public, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities.

The driver of the Chevrolet was not injured, the report states.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a pedestrian is seriously injured in a highway crash, especially in the early morning hours, it’s essential to move beyond assumptions and focus on the facts that matter. In every serious incident like this one, we must ask three critical questions: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect might have contributed? And has all the electronic data related to the crash been collected?

Pedestrian crashes on highways often lead to quick conclusions: namely, that the pedestrian shouldn't have been there in the first place. But that line of thinking risks missing key questions that could reveal much more about the circumstances. For example, were there any visual obstructions? Were the roadway lighting conditions adequate? Could the driver reasonably have been expected to see and react to the pedestrian in time? A proper investigation should examine all of these elements, including vehicle speed, reaction distance and whether the driver’s view was affected by anything in the environment. Whether that level of analysis was done here remains unclear, and that’s an issue that warrants closer attention.

The second question, whether a defect in the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado could have played a role, is particularly important. While the vehicle is relatively new, that doesn’t rule out problems with its safety systems. If it was equipped with pedestrian detection or automatic emergency braking, did those systems function as intended? Were the headlights properly aimed and fully operational? Was there any steering or brake failure that limited the driver’s ability to avoid the crash? These are not just theoretical concerns: modern vehicles are complex machines, and even small malfunctions can have serious consequences. But unless the vehicle is preserved and inspected, those possibilities may never be explored.

Finally, electronic data could be essential in clarifying what really happened. The vehicle’s engine control module likely recorded vital information in the moments leading up to the impact, such as speed, throttle input, braking activity and whether any safety systems activated. This data provides a much clearer picture of how the vehicle responded and how the driver may have attempted to avoid the crash. Additionally, surveillance footage from nearby areas or traffic cameras, as well as potential GPS or cell phone data, could all help confirm timelines and movement.

At the core of every serious crash is someone whose life has been disrupted, and the community owes it to them to get to the truth. That means not relying on assumptions or preliminary impressions, but instead conducting a full, evidence-based investigation that accounts for vehicle performance, driver behavior and the environment. Only by answering these three essential questions can we ensure that nothing important is overlooked.