Kaufman County, TX — April 6, 2025, Erica Lopez was killed as the result of a car accident that happened around 1:05 a.m. along Highway 34.

Authorities were called out to the accident scene northeast of Kaufman near the intersection of TX-34 and Lakeview Circle.

It appears that 39-year-old Erica Lopez was in a Hyundai Sonata traveling southbound along the highway. A Dodge Ram 2500 was going northbound. In a series of events unclear, the vehicles collided. Due to the collision, Erica Lopez succumbed to fatal injuries on April 8.

The other driver apparently wasn't injured. There are no further confirmed details surrounding the crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

One common concern I get calls about a lot are following crashes similar to this one. Two vehicles crash, and a family's loved one isn't around to tell their side of the story. How can they be sure that the facts they get are going to tell the whole story fairly? Generally speaking, it can be helpful to follow up with authorities and ask key questions about their investigations early on.

One of the first questions to ask is whether investigators had the right tools and enough time to conduct a thorough examination of the crash. Head-on collisions require detailed scene work—measuring vehicle positions, skid marks, impact angles, and road conditions—to accurately determine how and why the crash happened. If officers aren't given the resources they need to do their jobs properly, critical parts of the story may never be uncovered.

It’s also important to consider whether a vehicle defect could have contributed to the crash. Brake failures, steering malfunctions, or tire problems can cause a driver to lose control unexpectedly. Likewise, failures in safety systems—like seatbelts or airbags—can worsen the severity of injuries. These issues usually aren’t obvious at the scene and require a focused inspection to catch before evidence deteriorates.

Finally, was all crash-related electronic data preserved? Modern vehicles often record key details—speed, braking, and steering input—right before an impact. This information, along with phone records or any nearby surveillance footage, can provide a clearer picture of what actually happened. But this data is time-sensitive and can be lost if not collected early.

These questions can help families determine if they're satisfied with responses they receive from authorities. If authorities can address a family's doubts and concerns, it's probably because they did good, thorough investigations. If their answers fall short, it gives families an opportunity to consider having a second set of eyes look over the crash to make sure nothing important slipped through the cracks.