Mabank, TX — November 28. 2024, Joshua Hager was injured in a car accident at about 10:30 p.m. on westbound U.S. Route 175.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2015 Ford Mustang and a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder were headed west when they collided for an unknown reason.

Ford driver Joshua Hager, 39, suffered suspected serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Kaufman County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I see reports of a crash like this, my first thought is that the injured driver and his loved ones deserve a clear understanding of what happened. A two-vehicle collision where the cause is unknown raises several important questions, and in my experience, early reports rarely capture the full picture. Before any conclusions can be drawn, three key areas need further examination.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? When two vehicles collide without an obvious cause, it’s important to reconstruct the sequence of events carefully. Did investigators determine which vehicle initiated contact? Were there any roadway hazards, poor lighting conditions or external factors like another driver’s actions that might have contributed? Additionally, were there any witnesses or nearby surveillance cameras that might have recorded the crash? Without a detailed examination of the scene, it’s difficult to establish exactly what happened.

Second, has anyone looked into whether a vehicle defect played a role? The Ford Mustang and Nissan Pathfinder are both older models, meaning mechanical issues such as brake failure, steering malfunctions or electrical problems could have contributed to the crash. Did either vehicle experience a sudden loss of control? Were there tire blowouts or engine failures that might have caused one of the drivers to veer unexpectedly? While most crash reports focus on driver actions, mechanical failures are often overlooked unless someone pushes for a forensic vehicle inspection.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? Both vehicles likely have engine control modules (ECMs) that could provide critical information about speed, braking and steering inputs leading up to the crash. If investigators secure this data, it could help determine whether either driver attempted to avoid the collision. Additionally, nearby traffic cameras or dashcams may have captured footage of the moments leading up to the impact. Phone records could also be relevant: was either driver distracted in the seconds before the crash? These pieces of evidence can provide key insights that might otherwise be missed.

At the end of the day, a man suffered serious injuries, and he deserves to know what caused the crash. A complete and thorough investigation is the only way to ensure that no critical details are overlooked. If any of these three questions remain unanswered, we simply don’t have the full story.