McLennan County, TX — July 27, 2024, Mary Scott was injured due to a car accident at approximately 2:30 p.m. along Woodgate Drive.

According to authorities, 78-year-old Mary Scott was traveling in a southbound Dodge Journey on Woodgate Drive at the Regal Drive intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, an eastbound Mitsubishi Outlander entered the intersection at an apparently unsafe time, failing to yield the right-of-way at a stop sign. A collision consequently occurred between the left side of the Outlander and the front-end of the Journey.

Scott reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. She was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. No other injuries have been reported. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash leaves an older driver seriously hurt, it’s easy for the focus to shift to age or reflexes. But in incidents like this—where someone else reportedly failed to yield—it’s worth asking whether that mistake was just human error or something more preventable. Understanding the full picture matters, especially when someone ends up in the hospital.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
Crashes at stop-sign intersections should prompt more than just a quick fault assignment. Did investigators confirm the view of the intersection from both directions? Did they determine how fast the vehicles were going or whether the Journey had time to respond? A complete investigation would involve mapping out vehicle paths and verifying stop sign placement and compliance. Without that level of detail, it's hard to be certain whether this was truly a one-sided mistake—or whether other factors played a role.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
When a driver fails to yield, it’s often assumed they simply didn’t look—but mechanical issues can cause very similar outcomes. The Outlander should have been inspected for problems with the brakes, accelerator, or even steering that could have affected the driver’s control. Likewise, any delayed or inconsistent brake engagement could make it appear as though the driver didn’t stop when, in fact, the vehicle didn’t respond as expected. These details don’t reveal themselves unless someone looks under the surface.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Modern vehicles like the Outlander and the Journey often hold crucial electronic data—things like speed at impact, throttle input, brake pressure, and steering angle. That information can help determine whether either driver had time to react or if a mechanical issue impaired their response. Were any nearby traffic cameras or home security systems checked for footage? If not, valuable insight may already be lost.

A crash can be over in seconds, but the effort to understand it takes much longer. Especially when someone’s seriously hurt, there’s no excuse for leaving the harder questions unanswered.

Key Takeaways:

• Intersection crashes deserve more than a quick assumption of fault.
• Mechanical issues in the Outlander could have played a role in the failure to yield.
• Vehicle data and nearby footage could clarify exactly how the crash unfolded.