Copperas Cove, TX — November 29, 2024, Erick Sanchez Rosario was injured as the result of a car accident at around 12:55 a.m. along Lutheran Church Road.

Preliminary details about the accident say that the accident took place near Lutheran Church Road and Merganser Drive on the north side of town.

According to officials, 38-year-old Erick Sanchez Rosario was in a Toyota Scion traveling along Lutheran Church Road. The vehicle somehow ended up losing control and crashing. Erick Sanchez Rosario sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash.

There did not appear to be anyone else involved in the accident. Right now, additional details are unavailable.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Following any serious car accident, people naturally want answers. They deserve them, too. But it might shock people how often I get asked the same question: How do I know authorities are handling investigations properly? Generally speaking, it can help to be proactive and ask them key questions to see how they respond.

The first question to ask is whether authorities had the time, tools, and expertise to conduct a thorough investigation. Single-vehicle accidents often involve factors like road hazards, environmental conditions, or evasive maneuvers that aren’t immediately obvious. This all can take a lot of time and certain equipment to properly analyze. If authorities are forced to move on to other work too quickly, or if they lack proper equipment, they might miss something or make mistakes.

The second question is whether anyone has considered the possibility of a vehicle defect. Mechanical issues, such as brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or steering problems, are common contributors to single-vehicle crashes. Additionally, failures in safety systems like seatbelts or airbags can make injuries worse than they should have been. A forensic examination of the vehicle is essential to identify potential defects, but authorities may not have the resources or expertise to conduct one. Preserving the vehicle for analysis is a crucial first step.

Finally, it’s vital to ask whether all electronic evidence has been collected and reviewed. Vehicles today store valuable data in their Engine Control Modules (ECMs), which can provide insights into speed, braking, and steering inputs leading up to the crash. Other sources, like cellphone records, GPS data, or nearby video footage, might shed additional light on the circumstances surrounding the accident. Securing this evidence quickly can be key to preserving the full picture.

If authorities are able to confidently and definitively respond to these questions, that's often a sign they've been thorough in their efforts. Other times, though, authorities come up short, and families can make an informed decision about possibly having a second set of eyes look things over. In my experience, this approach helps people feel more like they've been taken seriously, and they can feel more confident that they're getting the answers they deserve. Right now, I don't see any reason why this accident would be an exception to that.