Harris County, TX — June 21, 2024, Jannine McConnon was killed in a car accident at about 3 p.m. in the 6200 block of North Main Street/F.M. 2100.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a southbound 2012 Ford F-150 collided with a 2003 Chevrolet Impala that had turned left from a private driveway. The impact knocked the Chevrolet into a grassy area on the west side of the road.

Chevrolet driver Jannine McConnon, 78, died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to the report.

The Ford driver was not injured in the crash, the report states.

The report does not contain any additional information about the Harris County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

In the wake of any fatal crash, it’s easy for the public narrative to focus on simple facts: who turned, who had the right of way, what vehicle was hit. But the truth of what happened often runs deeper, especially when those involved never get to speak for themselves. If we’re serious about learning from tragedy, we have to ask better questions than just who had the green light.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? From what's available, there's little indication that investigators did much beyond documenting surface-level details. When a vehicle turns from a driveway into a major road and ends up in a deadly collision, it's not enough to just mark the point of impact. Did anyone reconstruct the exact path of both vehicles using measurements or crash mapping software? Did they interview witnesses or check for signs of distraction or speed from either driver? Without that kind of deep dive, it’s hard to say the investigation gave a full picture of what went wrong.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? It's also unclear whether either vehicle, especially the older model Chevrolet, was inspected for mechanical issues. Things like a faulty throttle, brake failure or even steering problems can make a driver’s actions seem careless when in fact they were struggling with equipment failure. Vehicles over 20 years old are at particular risk for aging components, and unless someone put those systems under a microscope, we may never know if the driver was working with a machine that let her down.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? The presence of a late-model Ford pickup raises another question: was any electronic data pulled from it? That includes engine control modules, GPS tracking or phone logs. This kind of evidence can show whether the truck driver tried to brake, was accelerating or was perhaps looking at a device in the moments before impact. The same goes for any traffic or surveillance cameras that might have captured the moment of impact. If that information exists and hasn’t been reviewed, then crucial facts are still missing.

Every crash deserves a full accounting; not just for the sake of the record, but to honor the lives disrupted by it. When these deeper questions go unasked, preventable tragedies risk repeating themselves, and families are left without real answers.

Key Takeaways:

• Quick crash reports often skip detailed reconstructions that can uncover the full story.
• Older vehicles should be checked for mechanical failure after a crash.
• Data from phones, vehicles or nearby cameras may hold the key to understanding what really happened.