Dallas, TX — October 7, 2025, Colen Phipps was injured as the result of a truck accident at around 1:04 p.m. along Interstate 35E.

Investigators said that the crash took place along northbound lanes of the interstate in the area of Ledbetter Drive.

According to officials, 52-year-old Colen Phipps was in a Dodge Ram truck pulling a trailer along the interstate. Due to factors unclear, the truck lost control and crashed. Colen Phipps reportedly had serious injuries due to the crash.

There did not appear to be anyone else involved in the accident. No further information is available.

Commentary

When a single vehicle crashes, there’s a tendency to assume it was simply driver error. But when the cause isn’t clear and someone is seriously hurt, it’s worth asking whether the investigation went deep enough to consider all possibilities.

1. Did the authorities have the time, equipment, and training to fully investigate the crash?
Single-vehicle crashes—especially those involving trailers—can be complex. Did investigators look at how the vehicle was loaded, whether the trailer contributed to instability, or if the driver took evasive action? That kind of analysis takes time and specialized knowledge. Without it, the conclusion may rest on assumptions instead of evidence.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
Mechanical problems—whether in the truck or the trailer—can cause sudden loss of control. A failure in the hitch system, brake imbalance, or tire blowout might not be obvious without a full inspection. If no one looked closely at those components, the true cause could still be unknown.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Modern trucks can log speed, braking, throttle input, and more. That data, along with GPS tracking and phone activity, could help explain what happened in the moments before the crash. But this information is time-sensitive and easy to overlook unless someone acted quickly to retrieve it.

These questions can help people gauge if the investigations were really thorough. If so, that's a good sign. But if not, then steps can be taken to put the crash in the hands of more thorough investigators.

Takeaways:

• It’s unclear whether investigators had the tools or training to fully assess how the crash occurred.
• Equipment failure in the truck or trailer may have played a role but needs inspection to confirm.
• Onboard data and external records could clarify the cause—if they were preserved.