Montgomery County, TX — May 29, 2025, One person was killed and three were injured in a car accident at around 5:00 P.M. on FM 2090.

According to official reports, a Chevy Tahoe operated by Jonathan Burrell and occupied by three children, was traveling on FM 2090 in the eastbound lanes near Firetower Road. The vehicle veered to the right and struck a guardrail before then crossing the road and striking a bridge, and all the occupants required extrication.

First responders transported Burrell to the hospital in critical condition where he stated he fell asleep, and the minor passengers were also transported in unknown condition, though its possible one sustained a broken arm. Burrell later was pronounced deceased at the hospital, and there has been no official update on the status of the passengers.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash involves children and serious injuries, the search for answers becomes even more urgent. People want to know what went wrong, how it could have been prevented, and whether anything was missed that could explain the chain of events. But while fatigue may be mentioned early on, that doesn’t mean the full picture has been brought into focus. To really understand what happened, we have to ask deeper questions—ones that often get skipped in the rush to file reports.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? If a vehicle drifts off the road, strikes a guardrail, then crosses over and hits a bridge, there's clearly a breakdown in control. Fatigue is one explanation, but it’s not the only one. Investigators need to consider other potential factors like road conditions, lighting, signage, and even whether the guardrail was properly placed and maintained. Without that level of analysis, conclusions can be drawn too quickly, and important details may get missed.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? It’s easy to assume a driver simply fell asleep, but sometimes mechanical issues contribute. Power steering systems can lock up, brakes can fail, or suspension issues can make a vehicle unstable. If the Tahoe had any such problem, especially one that interfered with the driver’s ability to correct after the initial impact, that needs to be looked at. These issues rarely leave obvious clues unless someone is actively searching for them.

Third, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles like a Chevy Tahoe often store information that can confirm or challenge assumptions. If the driver truly fell asleep, we might expect to see no braking or steering input before the crash. But what if the data shows erratic inputs, a sudden surge in speed, or system alerts? That could point to something else entirely. Preserving and reviewing this data is vital, especially when minors are involved and there’s still uncertainty about their condition.

At the end of the day, no one can change what happened. But asking the right questions can change what we learn from it. Only by digging deeper can we uncover what truly caused the crash—and help prevent the next one from happening.

Key Takeaways:

• A complete investigation should explore road design, visibility, and vehicle path in detail.
• Vehicle defects can resemble driver error and require thorough inspection to detect.
• Data from the vehicle can validate or challenge early assumptions but must be preserved quickly.