Lee County, TX — May 20, 2025, Three people were killed following a car accident that occurred at around 7:00 A.M. on US 77.

According to official reports, a Toyota Tacoma operated by Landon Harris with Jarret Hawkins as a passenger was traveling southbound on US Highway 77, when for unknown reasons the truck crossed into the northbound lanes and collided with a Dodge Ram head-on.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found Harris and Hawkins were deceased, and the driver of the Dodge, Daniel Phillips, was also pronounced deceased. Authorities have not released a possible cause for the crash, and there has been no official update on the status of the investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Those affected by a crash like this almost always find themselves looking for answers. In the wake of a severe collision, the focus often turns quickly to what happened, but just as important is why it happened. Getting to the truth requires more than just a glance at the crash scene or a reading of the initial reports—it demands a thorough, methodical approach to the full chain of events.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? When a vehicle suddenly crosses into oncoming traffic without an obvious reason, it raises serious questions that deserve close scrutiny. Was the driver avoiding something in the road? Did fatigue or a medical issue play a role? Did environmental factors like lighting or road design contribute? These aren’t questions that can be answered without a detailed crash reconstruction, yet too often, initial investigations stop at surface-level assumptions. A careful examination of skid marks, debris patterns, and vehicle positions is essential to understand what really happened.

Next, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? It’s not uncommon for steering components, braking systems, or even electronic controls to fail, especially in older or heavily used vehicles. If the Toyota Tacoma suffered a mechanical failure that caused it to veer off course, identifying that failure could prevent future crashes. But defects are rarely obvious without a hands-on inspection by someone who knows what to look for. Without that kind of technical review, a key piece of the puzzle might be missed.

Finally, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Many vehicles store vital information that can shed light on the seconds leading up to a collision. Data like speed, throttle position, braking effort, and steering input can clarify whether a driver was in control, panicking, or if the vehicle itself was acting erratically. If preserved in time, this data becomes a silent witness that can speak volumes—but it doesn’t last forever, and retrieving it often requires swift coordination.

Finding out what happened on that stretch of highway isn’t just about filling out a report. It’s about honoring those lost by ensuring the investigation digs deep enough to provide real answers. That means leaving no stone unturned, no question unasked.

Key Takeaways:

• Unexpected lane departures need full crash reconstructions to uncover contributing factors.
• Vehicle defects are a real possibility and require specialized inspection to detect.
• Modern vehicle data systems can provide key insights but must be preserved quickly.