Vernon, TX — December 14, 2024, one person was killed in a single-vehicle car accident at about 3 a.m. on westbound U.S. Route 70/South Expressway.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2020 Ford Fusion crashed into a light pole and caught fire.

The driver, who has not been identified, died in the crash, according to authorities.

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

Commentary

When I see reports of a single-vehicle crash like this, my first thought is that the driver’s loved ones deserve clear answers about what happened. Too often, people assume that these kinds of accidents are solely the result of driver error, but in my experience, the reality is often more complex. Before anyone can fully understand this crash, there are three key questions that must be addressed.

The first question is whether authorities conducted a thorough investigation. In many single-vehicle crashes, law enforcement officers are working with limited evidence, especially if there were no witnesses. Did investigators examine the roadway for signs of debris, tire marks or other hazards that could have contributed to the crash? Were they able to recover any data from the vehicle before it burned? A proper investigation should consider all possible causes, not just assume the driver lost control.

The second question is whether a vehicle defect played a role in the crash. The vehicle involved was a 2020 Ford Fusion, which is new enough to have complex electronic systems that could malfunction. Could there have been an issue with the steering, brakes or acceleration? There have been cases where vehicles unexpectedly lost control due to defects, and in a crash like this — where the car hit a pole and caught fire — it’s crucial to ask whether the fire was a result of the crash or if a defect made the fire more severe. Unfortunately, when a car is heavily damaged by fire, it can be difficult to examine it properly, which is why these possibilities should be considered early.

The third question is whether all available electronic data has been collected. Many newer vehicles, including the 2020 Ford Fusion, are equipped with an engine control module that logs speed, braking and other factors in the moments leading up to a crash. This data can be critical in determining whether the driver tried to brake, whether the steering responded correctly or if the car behaved unexpectedly. Additionally, authorities should check for surveillance cameras in the area that might have captured the crash, as well as phone records to see if distraction played a role.

Crashes like this leave more questions than answers, and the least the community owes those affected is a full and thorough investigation. If any of these three questions remain unresolved, it’s possible that critical details are being overlooked. Until we can confidently determine why this crash happened, we simply don’t have the full story.