San Marcos, TX — March 22, 2025, Epson Bhatta was killed and another person was injured in a car accident at about 10:05 p.m. on State Highway Loop 82/Aquarena Springs Drive.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2017 Jeep Renegade was turning left onto Charles Austin Drive when it was hit by a 2018 KTM 300 motorcycle.

Motorcyclist Epson Bhatta, 19, died from injuries sustained in the crash, according to authorities. He was a college student from Nepal.

A passenger on the motorcycle, a 25-year-old man, suffered serious injuries in the crash, the report states.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Hays County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope the families of those involved — especially the family of the young man who lost his life — receive clear, fact-based answers. A collision between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle during a turning maneuver is a situation that demands careful scrutiny. While initial reports state that the Jeep Renegade was turning left when the motorcycle struck it, that description alone doesn’t tell us why the collision happened or whether it could have been prevented. To fully understand what occurred on Aquarena Springs Drive, we need to ask three critical questions.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? In any crash involving a left-turning vehicle and an oncoming motorcycle, timing and visibility are crucial. Did the Jeep driver have a clear view of the oncoming motorcycle? Was the motorcycle visible and operating with proper lighting? Did traffic patterns, signal timing or road design play a role in the driver’s decision to turn? Investigators should gather measurements from the scene, assess sightlines, and review any available camera footage from nearby traffic or campus surveillance systems. These are the factors that can determine whether the turn was safe or misjudged.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? The Jeep Renegade should be examined to determine whether any mechanical issues or failures in driver-assist systems played a role in the timing or execution of the turn. Was there a problem with the steering, throttle response or turn signals? Similarly, while motorcycles generally have fewer systems to fail, the KTM should also be inspected for issues with brakes, throttle or lighting that might have affected the rider’s ability to avoid the impact. Unless both vehicles are preserved and reviewed by qualified experts, these critical questions may go unanswered.

Finally, has all the electronic data related to the crash been collected? The Jeep is likely equipped with an engine control module that records pre-crash data such as speed, throttle input, braking and steering angle, information that can help reconstruct how and when the turn was made. While the KTM 300 may not store digital data, the motorcycle passenger’s phone, helmet camera or wearable devices might contain GPS or motion data that can help establish the motorcycle’s speed and trajectory. Surveillance footage, if available, could also provide critical visual evidence. All of this data is time-sensitive and must be secured promptly.

Crashes like this deserve a complete, fact-driven investigation. A young motorcyclist lost his life, and another person was seriously injured. That level of loss requires more than just a preliminary report. By asking the right questions and preserving all available evidence, both physical and digital, we give the families of those affected a better chance at understanding what happened and why. That clarity is not only essential for accountability, but for healing.