Montgomery County, TX — July 26, 2024, Christopher Harris Jr. was injured in a single-vehicle car accident just after 3:00 a.m. along U.S. Highway 59 (I.H. 69).

According to authorities, 32-year-old Christopher Harris Jr. was traveling in a southbound BMW on U.S. 59 in the vicinity north of F.M. 1314 when the accident took place.

Weather and road conditions in the area at the time were reported to have been rainy and wet. The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the BMW failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It reportedly veered off of the right side of the road where it overturned. It crossed the median separating the highway from the service road and both lanes of the southbound service road before coming to a stop.

Harris sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident, according to reports. He was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary

When I read about a single-vehicle accident like the one that left Christopher Harris Jr. seriously injured, I know many people will assume that driver error was the cause. While that’s certainly a possibility, I’ve seen too many cases where other factors—like road conditions or vehicle defects—played a role but were never fully investigated. Rather than making assumptions, it’s crucial to take a closer look at the evidence. To that end, there are three critical questions that need to be asked.

First, did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Given that the crash happened in the early morning hours on a wet roadway, it’s important to consider how much weight investigators will place on road conditions. While wet roads can certainly be hazardous, that alone doesn’t explain why the vehicle veered off the highway and overturned. Were there standing water hazards or poor drainage? Did any other drivers witness the incident? Did investigators check for possible mechanical failures or road debris? The depth of the investigation matters because without a complete picture, critical details could be overlooked.

Second, has anyone looked into whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? The fact that the vehicle reportedly failed to maintain its lane and overturned raises questions about potential mechanical issues. Problems with a car’s tires, steering, or stability control system could cause a loss of control, especially in wet conditions. While these factors are less commonly investigated, they can be just as important as driver behavior. Unfortunately, vehicle defects are rarely examined unless someone specifically pushes for it. If the vehicle is quickly repaired or scrapped, key evidence may be lost before it can be properly analyzed.

Lastly, have investigators gathered all available electronic data? Many modern vehicles come equipped with event data recorders (EDRs), which can provide crucial details such as speed, braking, and steering input before the crash. This kind of information could help clarify whether the driver attempted to correct course or if the vehicle behaved unpredictably. Additionally, dashcams, surveillance footage from nearby businesses, or even traffic cameras may have captured useful information. If investigators fail to secure this data quickly, it could be lost, making it much harder to determine the true cause of the crash.

At the end of the day, answering these questions is essential to understanding what really happened. Single-vehicle crashes are often attributed to driver error, but that assumption can prevent a full and fair investigation. A thorough review of all possible factors—including road conditions, vehicle defects, and electronic data—is the least that can be done in order to ensure that those affected by the crash receive the answers they deserve.