Milam County, TX — January 5, 2025, Lisa Dealy and one other were killed following a head-on car accident at around 6:00 p.m. on Highway 36.

According to initial details about the accident, it happened in the area of the TX-36 and County Road 238 intersection, southeast of Cameron.

Investigators said that 53-year-old Lisa Anne Dealy was in a Mazda CX-5 going southbound along the highway. A GMC Acadia in the northbound lanes apparently began passing multiple vehicles, and it ended up colliding head-on with Dealy's vehicle.

Due to the collision, both Dealy and the GMC driver were killed. No other injuries were reported. At this time, additional details surrounding the accident are unavailable.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

The chaos that follows any fatal car accident is one that people don't always consider when it comes time to get the victim's families the answers they need. Across my more than thirty year career, I've seen far too many people take for granted that authorities have everything covered. That's not always true, and there are a few key questions that sometimes help reveal possible shortcomings.

First, did investigators have the time, tools, and training to fully analyze the crash? Determining how and why a vehicle attempted a passing maneuver requires a detailed look at road conditions, visibility, and traffic flow. Did authorities document skid marks, debris, and signage? Were environmental factors like lighting or weather conditions considered? If authorities lack the resources to truly dig into a serious accident investigation, crucial details may be overlooked.

Second, could a vehicle defect have played a role? Mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or steering issues, could cause a vehicle to drift or make it difficult for a driver to regain control. Additionally, failures in safety systems—like airbags or seatbelts—can make crashes more deadly than they should be. A forensic inspection of both vehicles is essential to rule out potential defects, and this can take training and tools authorities often lack.

Finally, was all available electronic evidence collected? Both vehicles’ Engine Control Modules (ECMs) likely contain key data on speed, braking, and steering inputs leading up to the crash. Other sources, such as cellphone records, GPS data, or nearby surveillance footage, may help clarify what happened. Securing this evidence quickly is critical before valuable information is lost.

These questions can give authorities an opportunity to show they've been thorough in their efforts and can provide satisfactory answers to a family's concerns. However, it may instead reveal that authorities aren't being thorough, and families will need a second set of eyes looking at things so that nothing important slips through the cracks. Either way, the end result should be families being confident they're going to get the full story.