Smith County, TX — January 4, 2026, Hannah Esselman was injured in a car accident at about 12:30 a.m. on Interstate 20 north of Tyler.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2013 Nissan Sentra was heading east when it veered into the median barrier near Lavender Road.

Driver Hannah Esselman, 29, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Smith County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Serious crashes often leave behind more questions than answers. In the first hours and days after an event like this, it’s easy for attention to settle on the obvious facts. What really matters, though, is whether anyone took the time to dig deeper and preserve the details that can explain why it happened.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A basic report usually notes where the vehicle ended up and the apparent sequence of events. But a careful investigation should go further. Was the scene laser-mapped to capture precise measurements? Were the vehicle’s tire marks, debris patterns and final rest positions documented in a way that allows for true reconstruction? Did investigators look closely at the driver’s actions in the moments before the impact: steering input, braking effort or possible evasive maneuvers?

Crash investigation training can vary widely. Some officers have advanced reconstruction experience, while others may only handle the fundamentals. In more complex situations, a limited review can miss key dynamics, such as whether the vehicle’s movement was gradual, sudden or the result of some unexpected mechanical issue. Time and resources matter, and without them, important details can fade quickly.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When a vehicle leaves its lane and strikes a barrier, one possibility is driver error. Another is mechanical failure. Problems like brake malfunctions, steering system issues or electronic throttle defects don’t always leave obvious signs. Modern vehicles rely on sensors and control modules that can fail without warning.

A proper mechanical inspection should involve more than a quick glance. Components need to be examined closely, and the vehicle should be preserved so that experts can evaluate whether something failed before impact. If no one checks, a hidden defect can go unnoticed, and that can mean missing the real cause.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Most vehicles from the past decade contain engine control modules that capture information such as speed, throttle position and braking in the seconds before a crash. That data can confirm or challenge assumptions about what took place. In addition, cell phone records, GPS history and any available camera footage can help paint a clearer picture of driver behavior and timing.

Electronic evidence can disappear if it’s not preserved quickly. Vehicles get moved, repaired, or salvaged. Phones are reset or replaced. The longer it takes to secure this data, the harder it becomes to reconstruct the truth.

Crashes like this deserve more than a surface-level review. Careful investigation, mechanical inspection, and electronic data recovery often reveal details that aren’t visible at first glance. Without those steps, conclusions can rest on assumptions rather than facts.

Key Takeaways:

• A thorough crash investigation should include detailed scene mapping and reconstruction, not just a basic report.
• Mechanical failures are not always obvious and require careful inspection to rule out defects.
• Electronic data from vehicles and phones can provide critical insight, but only if it’s preserved in time.