Saline County, AR — February 23, 2025, Justin LeMaster was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 7:48 P.M. on Highway 70.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left one person dead during the evening hours of February 23. According to official reports, Justin LeMaster was travelling in a GMC Terrain on Highway 70 in the eastbound lanes when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and crossed into the opposite lane where it struck the side of a vehicle before then going off-road hitting a tree.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that LeMaster had sustained fatal injuries and and he was pronounced deceased. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, 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 investigators can provide clear answers for the loved ones of those involved. A vehicle losing control, crossing into oncoming traffic, and ultimately striking a tree raises serious concerns about what led to the incident and whether anything could have been done to prevent it. While initial reports confirm what happened, they don’t necessarily explain why it happened. To truly understand the cause, three critical questions must be asked.

First, have authorities thoroughly investigated the crash? Law enforcement will typically document the scene, assess road conditions, and analyze possible contributing factors such as weather, visibility, and traffic patterns. However, deeper analysis is often necessary. Were there any hazardous conditions on Highway 70 that may have contributed to the loss of control, such as ice, standing water, or debris? Were there skid marks or other indications that the driver attempted to regain control? A full accident reconstruction could help determine whether external conditions played a role.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility of a vehicle defect? When a vehicle veers into oncoming traffic, it’s important to consider whether mechanical failures—such as brake malfunctions, steering issues, or tire blowouts—may have contributed to the crash. Additionally, modern vehicles are designed with stability control systems intended to prevent such incidents—did those systems function as expected? If a defect played a role, preserving the vehicle for forensic analysis is critical before it is repaired or scrapped, as key evidence could be lost.

Third, has all electronic data relating to the crash been collected? The electronic control module (ECM) in the GMC Terrain may provide key insights, including speed, braking attempts, and steering input before the crash. Additionally, nearby traffic cameras or surveillance footage from businesses along the highway may have captured useful details. If investigators don’t secure this evidence quickly, it could be lost, making it much harder to determine exactly what led to the crash.

At the end of the day, the family of the person involved deserves clear answers. If the official investigation leaves any gaps, independent experts may be needed to ensure that every possible factor is considered. Whether the cause was environmental, mechanical, or something else entirely, the community owes it to those affected to make sure all available evidence is carefully examined.