Russell County, VA — February 3, 2025, Jacob Kincaid was killed in a car accident that occurred at around 8:00 P.M. on Route 19.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person dead during the evening hours of February 3rd. According to official reports,Jacob Kincaid was traveling in a GMC pickup on Route 19 near Campbells Park Rd. in when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and struck a guardrail.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that Kincaid had been ejected and sustained fatal injuries and he was pronounced deceased. At this time it remains unknown what caused the vehicle to lose control, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that those affected deserve clear answers about what happened. While initial reports provide basic details, they often leave out critical information that can help determine why the crash occurred and whether anything could have been done to prevent it. To get a full picture, there are three key questions that need to be asked in every crash investigation.

The first question is whether authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Law enforcement will typically document the scene, assess road conditions, and gather witness statements, but the depth of these investigations can vary. In a case where a vehicle unexpectedly loses control and strikes a guardrail, it’s crucial to determine whether external factors—such as road conditions, weather, or another driver’s actions—played a role. Additionally, since the driver was ejected from the vehicle, investigators should examine whether seatbelts and other safety systems functioned as intended.

The second question is whether anyone has considered the possibility of a vehicle defect. While many people assume that single-vehicle crashes are the result of driver error, mechanical failures are often overlooked. A sudden loss of control could indicate problems with the vehicle’s steering, brakes, tires, or suspension. Additionally, guardrails are designed to reduce the severity of crashes, so investigators should also examine whether the guardrail functioned properly upon impact. One of the biggest challenges in proving a defect is maintaining access to the vehicle—if it is scrapped or repaired before a forensic examination can be conducted, key evidence could be lost forever.

The third question is whether all available electronic data has been collected. Most modern vehicles contain electronic control modules (ECMs), which store important crash-related data such as speed, braking, and steering inputs leading up to the incident. Additionally, surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras could provide further clarity about what happened. Cell phone records may also be relevant—not necessarily to suggest distraction, but to determine if the driver received any critical warnings about road hazards. If this data is not gathered promptly, it may no longer be available by the time investigators realize its importance.

At the end of the day, crashes like this don’t just affect those directly involved—they leave families searching for answers. The least we can do as a community is ensure that every crash is investigated as thoroughly as possible so that those answers are found. No one should be left wondering what really happened when the evidence to find out is within reach.