Erath County, TX — February 7, 2026, one person was injured due to a car accident at approximately 11:00 a.m. along U.S. Highway 377.

According to authorities, a 12-year-old girl was traveling as a passenger in an eastbound Toyota Highlander on U.S. 377 in the vicinity northeast of the F.M. 1188 intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, an eastbound Ford Edge attempted a turn at an apparently unsafe time; a collision consequently occurred between the front-left quarter of the Edge and the front-right of the Highlander.

The 12-year-old reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When two vehicles traveling in the same direction collide during a turning movement, the explanation often stops at the phrase “unsafe turn.” But that label does not explain how the timing broke down or what each driver was doing in the seconds before contact.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
A same-direction turning collision requires careful reconstruction. Investigators should review speed, lane position, and how long the vehicles were traveling near one another before the turn began. It is important to determine whether either driver attempted to brake or steer away and how much time was available to react. Measuring impact angles, documenting vehicle damage, and mapping the approach are essential steps. Not every officer has advanced training in complex crash reconstruction. The key question is whether enough expertise and time were devoted to fully understanding how the turn unfolded and why the vehicles came together.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
Mechanical issues must also be considered. Brake malfunctions, steering defects, throttle problems, or failures in turn-signal or driver-assist systems can affect how a vehicle performs during a turning maneuver. These problems are not always obvious after a collision and require a thorough mechanical inspection of both vehicles to rule out hidden defects.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Electronic evidence can clarify what happened just before impact. Vehicle systems may record speed, steering input, throttle position, and braking activity. Phone records can help determine whether distraction played a role. If available, GPS data or nearby camera footage may also confirm timing and movement. If this information is not preserved quickly, it may be lost.

When a child is seriously injured and the explanation appears simple, surface conclusions are not enough. Clear answers depend on whether investigators carefully reconstructed the sequence and gathered every available piece of reliable evidence.

Key takeaways:

• An “unsafe turn” is a description, not a full explanation.
• Mechanical and steering systems should be examined.
• Electronic data can clarify what happened before impact.