Houston, TX — January 26, 2025, Dorion Davis was killed following a car accident that occurred around 3:17 A.M. on Fondren Rd.

An investigation is underway following a drunk driving accident that left one person dead during the early morning hours of January 26th. According to official reports, Dorion Davis was operating a Chevy Impala in the westbound lanes of Fondren Rd. near I-69 when the sedan attempted to make a U-Turn and was struck by a Chevy Silverado that was traveling on Fondren in the eastbound lanes at a high rate of speed.

When first responders arrived they found that the Silverado had been abandoned by its driver at the scene and fled, and upon examining Davis it was discovered that she had sustained serious injuries and transported her to the hospital for treatment where she later succumbed to her injuries. At this time it remains unknown what caused the pickup to strike the Impala, or why its driver fled the scene, however this remains an ongoing investigation, and those answers, may be released in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I hear about an incident like this, I can’t help but think of the unanswered questions that inevitably follow. For anyone affected by a crash, there’s an urgent need to uncover the truth about what happened. In my experience, this process begins by answering three key questions: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone considered the possibility of a vehicle defect? And has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

The first question is whether the authorities conducted a comprehensive investigation. Police are likely working to track down the driver of the fleeing pickup truck, but the depth of their investigation into other factors may vary depending on the resources and training available to them. For instance, reconstructing the sequence of events leading up to the crash is essential, including determining how fast the vehicles were traveling, whether proper lane discipline was maintained, and if environmental factors like road conditions or lighting played a role. Additionally, investigators need to locate witnesses or surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras to better understand what transpired. Ensuring all these bases are covered is critical.

Next, it’s essential to ask whether a vehicle defect could have contributed to the crash. While the primary focus may understandably be on the actions of the pickup truck driver, it’s crucial not to overlook the possibility that a mechanical failure or design flaw in either vehicle could have played a role. For instance, defective brakes, a steering malfunction, or poor crashworthiness of the sedan might have made the collision unavoidable or worsened its outcome. Sadly, these possibilities are often underexplored because once a vehicle is damaged or totaled, it’s quickly removed and sometimes disposed of before anyone thinks to examine it for defects. Preserving access to the vehicles involved is a vital step in such cases.

Lastly, has all the electronic data related to the crash been preserved? Modern vehicles are equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs), often called "black boxes," that can provide invaluable information such as speed, braking, and steering inputs in the moments leading up to a crash. Additionally, cell phone data could help determine whether the pickup driver was texting or using their phone at the time of the crash. Surveillance footage, if available, may capture the incident and provide clarity about the sequence of events. However, this type of evidence is often time-sensitive, as it can be overwritten, lost, or rendered inaccessible if not promptly secured.

Answering these three questions isn’t just about assigning responsibility—it’s about providing clarity and accountability for everyone involved. For the family of the sedan driver, knowing why this crash happened is a critical part of achieving closure and ensuring that similar incidents don’t occur in the future. Ultimately, a community owes it to those affected by any crash to uncover the truth and ensure that no critical details are overlooked.