Dallas County, TX — August 2, 2025, Catherine Collins was killed and two others were injured in a single-car accident just after 5:00 p.m. along Senate Street.

According to authorities, three women—a 62-year-old driver, a 50-year-old passenger, and 74-year-old Catherine Collins—were traveling in a southwest bound Toyota Corolla on Senate Street in the vicinity west of Dilido Road when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the Corolla was involved in a single-vehicle collision in which it apparently struck a utility pole. Collins reportedly sustained fatal injuries over the course of the accident. The woman who had been behind the wheel of the vehicle suffered minor injuries, as well, and the other passenger received minor injuries, reports state. 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 a car strikes a fixed object and one passenger is killed, the first explanation often stops at “the driver lost control.” But single-vehicle crashes rarely unfold without underlying causes, and the real test is whether investigators look closely enough to uncover what those were.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?

A Corolla colliding with a utility pole should prompt detailed reconstruction. Investigators should be reviewing skid marks, mapping the vehicle’s trajectory, and determining whether the driver attempted to brake or steer away before impact. Without that work, the crash risks being summarized as “driver error,” even if something more complicated was involved. In many single-car crashes, the analysis doesn’t go far enough, leaving unanswered questions about what really caused the vehicle to leave its path.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?

Mechanical or system failures could explain why the driver was unable to avoid striking the pole. Brake issues, steering malfunctions, or a tire blowout might have left the car uncontrollable. On modern Corollas, electronic stability and braking systems also play a role in preventing exactly these types of crashes—if one failed, it could be a key factor. Without a full inspection, the role of a defect may never be considered.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

The Corolla is likely equipped with an event data recorder that can capture details such as speed, braking, throttle use, and steering inputs in the moments before the collision. That information could show whether the driver attempted to correct or if the vehicle failed to respond. Other sources—traffic cameras, GPS logs, or even phone data—could provide additional clarity. But this kind of evidence is time-sensitive and can be lost if not secured early.

A fatal single-car collision may look straightforward on the surface, but finding the truth depends on whether every possible factor is considered and every piece of evidence preserved.

Takeaways:

• Fatal single-vehicle crashes require careful reconstruction to confirm whether the driver attempted evasive action.
• Mechanical or stability system failures may have contributed to the loss of control.
• Event data recorders, cameras, and digital records are essential for clarifying what happened.