Garland, TX — February 21, 2025, Eric Guerrero was killed and five other people were injured in a car accident at about 10:30 p.m. at Stratford Drive and Garland Avenue.

Authorities said two vehicles crashed at the intersection when one of them turned onto Garland Avenue.

Eric Lopez Guerrero, 18, died in the crash, according to authorities, while five other people were hospitalized with undisclosed injuries.

Authorities said there were three people in each vehicle, but they have not provided any additional information about the crash. The others involved in the crash were between 22 and 16 years old.

The accident is still being investigated, as police work to determine whether alcohol was a factor.

Commentary

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that those affected deserve clear answers about what happened. That may seem simple, but in my experience, many crash investigations fail to explore key details that could provide a full understanding of the incident. To get to the truth, three critical questions must always be asked.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? In intersection crashes, determining what happened often comes down to analyzing right-of-way, traffic signals and vehicle movements. Did authorities examine whether either driver ran a red light or failed to yield? Were there any witnesses or nearby surveillance cameras that captured the crash? Additionally, police have already stated they are looking into alcohol as a factor, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. A proper investigation should consider speed, distraction and road conditions as well.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? Both vehicles carried multiple occupants, which means that any mechanical failure — brake issues, steering malfunctions or acceleration problems — could have had severe consequences. If one of the cars failed to stop or veered unexpectedly, it’s important to determine whether that was due to driver error or a problem with the vehicle itself. Unfortunately, unless someone specifically looks into this possibility, these issues often go unnoticed.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? Modern vehicles store black box data that can reveal speed, braking and steering inputs leading up to the crash. Surveillance footage from businesses or traffic cameras could provide additional context about how the collision unfolded. And in cases like this, where multiple young people were involved, reviewing cell phone records could help determine whether distraction played a role. Gathering this evidence quickly is crucial to ensuring no key details are lost.

At the end of the day, a young life was lost, and five others were injured. The least that can be done is to ensure a full and fair investigation that leaves no stone unturned. Those affected deserve real answers, and the only way to get them is by asking the right questions and securing every piece of available evidence.