Upshur County, TX — December 13, 2024, Kellie Alexander was killed and a child was injured following a car accident at around 7:30 p.m. on Highway 155.

Details say that authorities were called to the Big Sandy area just south of the TX-155 and U.S. 80 intersection.

In preliminary statements, officials said that 55-year-old Kellie Alexander and an 11-year-old were in a Ford F-150 traveling southbound along the highway. For reasons not clear right now, the vehicle left its lane, and a crash occurred. Due to the accident, Kellie Alexander was killed.

The child in the vehicle had reportedly serious injuries. There did not appear to be anyone else involved in the accident. Right now, no further information can be confirmed.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

A significant issue with any crash like this is that authorities likely weren't able to get any statements from those involved in the crash immediately following the accident. With the driver being fatally injured and a child in serious condition, it becomes crucial to preserve as much evidence as possible to help fill in the gaps. Knowing if those steps were actually taken, though, can present unique challenges.

For example, did authorities dedicate the right tools and experienced personnel to investigate the accident? Crashes like this raise questions about potential road conditions, signage, lighting, medical emergencies, and other complex possible factors. Without experienced crash reconstructionists and sufficient time spent looking into things, crucial details can be overlooked, leaving important questions unanswered.

Additionally, have authorities looked into a possible vehicle defect? Mechanical issues with steering mechanisms or brakes can cause a driver to suddenly lose control. Tire blowouts are also sometimes the result of something more challenging than just a sharp object in the road. It’s also worth considering seatbelts and airbags whether or not they performed as expected during the accident. Identifying any potential defects and preserving key evidence before it’s lost often requires detailed forensic examination authorities aren't always able to provide.

Also, it would surprise folks how often electronic data completely slips through the cracks. I've had many cases where authorities failed to pull information from a vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM), which is essentially "black box" that can show things like speeds, braking, and steering leading up to a crash. Even cellphone data can be lost if authorities didn't take the time to follow up with proper procedures needed to pull that kind of information. There could even be nearby security cameras at a residence or business that caught the crash on video.

Ultimately, authorities may have already addressed these kinds of issues, and the family affected by the accident may feel confident they're getting the answers they deserve. That said, I've handled far too many situations where families were left in the dark looking for answers to simply take that for granted. There aren't many crashes that prove to be exceptions to that.