Chambers County, TX — November 15, 2025, Harry Stelly was killed in an UTV accident at about 4:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Speights Road.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2009 Arctic Cat four-wheeler was heading west when it overturned near Speights Loop Road.

Driver Harry Stelly died November 16 from injuries suffered in the crash, according to the report.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone loses their life in a serious accident, it's natural to expect that all the right questions will be asked. But experience shows that key parts of the investigation can be missed, especially in crashes involving off-road vehicles. Understanding exactly what happened isn’t just about closure; it’s about accuracy.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? In crashes like this one involving a UTV, a basic review of the scene is often the extent of the investigation. But that approach can leave important questions unanswered. Was the crash site mapped? Was the terrain studied in detail? Did investigators examine whether driver input or vehicle handling played a role? Without reconstruction training, some officers may not dig deep enough into the vehicle’s movements before and during the rollover. When time and expertise are limited, so is the reliability of the final report.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Recreational vehicles, especially older models, can have issues that don’t always show up at first glance. If the steering locked up, brakes failed or the suspension gave way, those failures could directly lead to a rollover. These kinds of mechanical problems need to be ruled out by someone who knows what to look for. If the vehicle was removed without inspection, that opportunity may be lost.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Even if the UTV didn’t have onboard diagnostics, there may still be digital evidence that could help explain what happened. A GPS tracker, a mounted camera or even a smartphone might offer insight into speed, route or whether any sudden maneuvers occurred. The usefulness of that data depends on whether anyone made the effort to secure it right after the crash.

Asking the right questions early on can make all the difference. Not every crash is as simple as it appears, and when investigations skip steps, it becomes harder to understand what really took place.

Key Takeaways:

• Some investigations may stop short of full crash reconstruction, especially with UTVs.
• Mechanical defects like steering or brake failure can go unnoticed without inspection.
• Digital tools like GPS or phones might hold useful data if reviewed promptly.