DeKalb County, TN — June 21, 2025, Three people were injured following a car accident that occurred at around 2:30 A.M. on Smithville Highway.

According to reports, a head-on collision occurred on Smithville Highway and resulted in the engine from one vehicle catching fire and entrapping one person.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that three people were injured and transported them to the hospital, though the extent of their injuries is unclear. Authorities have not released the identities of those involved, and the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a head-on crash leads to fire and multiple injuries, it’s clear something went seriously wrong—but that doesn’t mean the full story is obvious. Fire tends to destroy evidence, and without a deep investigation, the most important questions can go unanswered.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
A head-on collision demands more than just a basic scene report. Investigators should be piecing together each vehicle’s position, speed, and path leading up to the impact. Did they review whether one vehicle crossed the centerline, or whether evasive action was attempted? Was the area laser-mapped or documented in a way that preserves detail after the scene is cleared? That level of work isn’t guaranteed—it depends on the training, time, and tools available to the responders.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
When fire follows a crash, especially from the engine bay, it raises red flags. Could a fuel line rupture, battery failure, or some other design issue have worsened the damage or even played a role in triggering the collision? It’s also worth asking whether brake or steering systems failed in either vehicle. With fire compromising so much physical evidence, mechanical inspections need to happen early and with a focus on what might have caused or worsened the crash.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Both vehicles likely had data that could help clarify what happened—speed, braking, steering input, and safety system engagement. Fire may have destroyed some of that information, but if responders acted quickly, there’s a chance critical pieces were preserved. Phones and GPS units may also show whether one of the drivers was distracted or unaware in the moments before impact.

Serious crashes rarely have just one cause. Understanding what happened takes more than a theory—it takes evidence, and a commitment to looking at every possibility.

Takeaways:

• Head-on crashes must be reconstructed carefully to identify how the impact occurred.
• Vehicle fires may point to deeper mechanical or design issues worth investigating.
• Electronic data and GPS can offer critical insight, but only if preserved early.