Van Zandt County, TX — October 26, 2024, Frank Fuller was killed and three were injured following a multi-car accident at 7:12 p.m. along Highway 64.

Initial details about the accident say that it happened in the area of Highway 64 and County Road 4410.

According to officials, 63-year-old Frank Fuller was a passenger in a Chevy Silverado that was going northwest along the highway. While doing so, the pickup somehow crossed paths with a Hyundai Palisade and a Chevy Impala, both going southeast. The three vehicles collided as a result.

Due to the collision, Frank Fuller was killed. The driver of the Impala was seriously injured while two people in the Hyundai had reportedly moderate injuries. Other injuries weren't confirmed. The factors surrounding the crash have not been publicly confirmed.

Commentary

With a deadly series of events like this, it's important to know what steps authorities took to secure the scene and ensure the crash was thoroughly investigated. It would surprise folks how often I get calls about these sorts of accidents where it turned out authorities weren't getting the victims and families clear answers. I've found throughout my career that it can be crucial to follow up with questions early on in the investigations to help prevent this.

For example, it’s important to find out whether investigators had the time and resources to properly document every aspect of the crash scene. A multi-vehicle collision involves complex factors like vehicle positions, impact angles, debris fields, and road conditions—all of which need to be carefully recorded. But when officers are managing multiple injured parties and trying to keep traffic flowing, there’s a risk they may be pulled away from a full reconstruction before all the details are captured.

It’s also worth asking whether anyone has looked into the possibility of a vehicle defect in any of the vehicles involved. Mechanical failures—like steering malfunctions, brake problems, or tire defects—can cause or worsen a collision, especially in multi-vehicle situations. These issues require a thorough inspection, and if the vehicles are repaired or scrapped too soon, any evidence of a defect might never be uncovered.

Finally, has all the available electronic data been preserved? Many modern vehicles store crash-related data such as speed, braking, and steering input leading up to impact. Along with cell phone records or nearby surveillance footage, this data can provide vital insight into how the events unfolded. But unless steps are taken early to secure it, that information could be lost before anyone has a chance to review it.

If authorities can provide clear answers to these questions, then it's likely they were thorough in their investigations. Otherwise, if they leave gaps in the story or fail to alleviate doubts, it could be that they missed important details that an independent investigation may bring to light.