Wrightsville, AR — January 13, 2025, Two people were killed and four were injured in a car accident that occurred at around 4:27 P.M. on SH 365.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left two people dead during the afternoon hours of January 13th. According to official reports, Ebony Robinson was travelling in a Chevy Malibu with five minor occupants on State Highway 365 in the southbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and left the roadway where it struck a mailbox and a tree.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Robinson and one of the minors had sustained fatal injuries and they were declared deceased, while the other four minor passengers sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the status of the children's injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope the injured children receive the care they need and that the families of those who lost their lives get the answers they deserve. While it may appear that the vehicle simply left the roadway, my experience has shown that serious crashes like this are rarely caused by a single factor. Before drawing any conclusions, there are three key questions that must be asked to ensure a complete and thorough investigation.

The first question is whether authorities conducted a comprehensive investigation. That means documenting more than just the final position of the vehicle—it includes examining road conditions, vehicle path, tire marks, debris, and speaking with any witnesses. When a vehicle leaves the roadway with no clear explanation, investigators must consider whether the driver swerved to avoid something, experienced a medical emergency, or reacted to another vehicle. Was there poor visibility, an unexpected hazard, or even an issue with road maintenance? All of these details can significantly impact our understanding of how and why the crash happened.

The second question—one that’s often overlooked—is whether a mechanical defect contributed to the crash. A sudden failure in the Chevy Malibu’s steering, braking, or stability systems could result in a complete loss of control. Even a blown tire or malfunction in the vehicle’s electronic stability control can make it nearly impossible to keep the car on the road. These types of failures are difficult to identify unless someone specifically preserves and inspects the relevant components. Too often, families never find out that a defect played a role because the evidence was discarded before it could be properly examined.

The third question is whether all available electronic data has been collected. Most modern vehicles are equipped with an electronic control module (ECM), often referred to as the vehicle’s “black box,” which can store critical data such as speed, braking, and steering input in the moments leading up to the crash. That data can be instrumental in identifying what happened and when. In addition, any nearby surveillance footage, dashcam recordings, or cell phone data could offer valuable insight—particularly in the absence of eyewitnesses. But this evidence is perishable, and if it’s not preserved early, it may never be recovered.

At the end of the day, answering these three questions isn’t just about understanding the mechanics of a crash—it’s about ensuring that the surviving children and the families of those who died have access to the full truth. Crashes like this leave more than wreckage—they leave questions that deserve answers. And the least we can do as a community is make sure those answers are pursued with the diligence and care the situation demands.