Fort Smith, AR — April 23, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 6:20 A.M. on Midland Blvd.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person dead during the morning hours of April 23rd. According to official reports, Landin Young was traveling in a Honda on Midland Boulevard in the southbound lanes, when it was struck by a northbound Toyota which had crossed into the Honda's lane as it was attempting to pass a vehicle.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Young had sustained fatal injuries 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 a vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic while attempting to pass and causes a fatal collision, it's imperative that the investigation go beyond the immediate facts to understand the full range of contributing factors. In this case, where a northbound Toyota entered the southbound lane of Midland Boulevard and collided with another vehicle, three critical questions must be addressed to ensure a complete and accurate picture: Did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Has anyone considered whether a mechanical or electronic defect contributed to the crash? And has all available electronic data from both vehicles been collected?

First, a full scene reconstruction is essential. Investigators should assess the layout of Midland Boulevard where the crash occurred—specifically, the visibility available to the passing vehicle, road conditions, signage, and whether it was a designated passing zone. Determining whether the Toyota's maneuver was legal and whether there was sufficient space and time to complete the pass safely is central to understanding the context of the crash. In addition, the impact angles and damage patterns should be analyzed to confirm the position and movement of each vehicle at the time of the collision.

Second, mechanical and system failures should not be ruled out. If the Toyota experienced a failure in steering or braking during or immediately after initiating the pass, the driver may have been unable to return to their lane. Similarly, if the vehicle being passed suddenly braked or swerved, the Toyota driver might have made an emergency maneuver that went wrong. Even though the act of passing is a driver decision, it's critical to examine whether the vehicle responded as expected. These possibilities can only be evaluated if both vehicles are thoroughly inspected before repairs or disposal.

Finally, investigators must collect electronic data from both vehicles. The electronic control modules (ECMs) may contain vital information, including vehicle speed, throttle and brake usage, steering input, and seatbelt engagement. This data helps confirm whether the driver of the Toyota attempted to brake or swerve and how the vehicle behaved just before the crash. If either vehicle had advanced driver-assistance systems—such as lane departure warnings or emergency braking—it's also necessary to determine whether those systems activated. Any surveillance or dashcam footage that captured the incident or events leading up to it should also be secured.

Fatal head-on collisions resulting from failed passing attempts are often viewed as the consequence of poor judgment. But that assumption must be tested against the physical evidence and the behavior of the vehicles themselves. A comprehensive investigation—one that evaluates the scene, vehicle functionality, and available data—is critical to determining whether the crash was purely human error or the result of multiple contributing factors. These steps are necessary not just for establishing accountability, but for providing clear, evidence-based answers to all those affected.