Marshall County, IN — March 19, 2025, Two people were injured following a car accident that occurred at round 3:00 P.M. on US 30.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left two people injured during the afternoon hours of March 19th. According to official reports, James Shockey was travelling in a Chevy Malibu with Darrell Howard as a passenger on US 30 in the eastbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and veered to the right where it struck a guardrail, which according to Shockey, was result of the passenger side brakes locking up.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that both Shockey and Howard had sustained injuries and they were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the status of the occupants' injuries, 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 I hope both individuals recover fully and that those involved receive the answers they need. While it may appear to be a case of a vehicle striking a guardrail, my experience has shown that crashes involving sudden loss of control—especially when mechanical failure is alleged—require careful and deliberate investigation. Before reaching any conclusions, there are three critical questions that must be asked to ensure that every possibility is explored.

The first question is whether authorities conducted a comprehensive investigation. That means going beyond documenting vehicle damage and roadway conditions—it involves confirming whether any witnesses observed the incident, reviewing whether road design contributed to the loss of control, and examining the driver’s account of the brakes locking up. When a crash is believed to stem from a specific vehicle malfunction, authorities must take care to secure the evidence that supports or contradicts that account.

The second question—especially important here—is whether a mechanical defect caused or contributed to the crash. If the brakes on the passenger side of the Chevy Malibu locked up as reported, this could point to a problem with the vehicle’s braking system, including the calipers, master cylinder, ABS sensors, or hydraulic lines. Mechanical issues like this don’t always leave obvious signs, and unless the vehicle is preserved and subjected to a forensic inspection, the root cause may never be uncovered. Without that examination, it becomes all too easy to misattribute the cause of the crash.

The third question is whether all available electronic data has been collected. The Chevy Malibu, like most modern vehicles, is equipped with an electronic control module (ECM) that records crucial data in the moments before a crash—vehicle speed, brake pressure, steering angle, and other variables that can confirm whether the vehicle behaved abnormally. This kind of data is critical in cases where a mechanical failure is suspected. In addition, investigators should look for nearby surveillance footage, dashcams, or even data from the occupants’ cell phones that may offer further context. But this information is time-sensitive and must be secured promptly to ensure it’s not lost or overwritten.

At the end of the day, answering these three questions isn’t just about understanding how this crash occurred—it’s about ensuring that those involved have access to the full truth. Serious crashes leave lasting questions, and the least we can do as a community is make sure that every piece of evidence is preserved and that every potential explanation is considered before conclusions are drawn.