Garland, TX — December 23, 2025, Matthew Thompson was killed in a motorcycle crash at about 4:20 a.m. on Interstate 30/U.S. Highway 67.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX was heading east when it crashed near the exit for Dalrock Road.

Motorcyclist Matthew Thompson, 21, died from injuries suffered in the crash near Lake Ray Hubbard, according to the report.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Dallas County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a crash takes someone’s life, the questions that follow are often harder to ask than they are to answer. In the early aftermath, it’s easy for important details to get overlooked; not from negligence, but because initial reports tend to focus on what’s most obvious. But clear answers about what happened, and why, can make all the difference for those left with questions.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? With crashes that happen in the early morning hours, particularly those involving motorcycles, a thorough and detailed investigation is critical. Scene documentation should go well beyond marking skid marks or vehicle resting positions. It's important to know whether crash reconstructionists were called out, whether they laser-mapped the area and if they tried to determine what the rider was doing in the moments before the crash. Motorcycle incidents often require special handling, given the potential for small but critical evidence — like road debris or subtle impact angles — that can easily be missed without a trained eye. Unfortunately, not every department has investigators with that level of expertise or the time to dedicate to that level of review.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When motorcycles go down, there's a tendency to assume rider error. But mechanical issues, especially in high-performance bikes, can be just as dangerous. Throttle response problems, brake failure or steering malfunctions could all play a role, and those things often leave no visible clues at the scene. The only way to know is to inspect the bike closely, ideally before it’s moved or destroyed. If that step didn’t happen quickly, a key part of the story might already be lost.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Even motorcycles today can yield digital clues. Data from nearby traffic cameras, dash cams from passing vehicles or GPS logs from the rider’s phone might help clarify speed, location and rider intent. If any surrounding drivers were using app-based navigation, their data could also provide time-stamped location markers. Whether investigators pursued these sources can shape the clarity of the final picture.

When crashes are quickly labeled as single-vehicle or rider-caused, the deeper questions often go unasked. But every crash deserves the same level of scrutiny, especially when a life was lost. The truth doesn’t always announce itself at the scene; sometimes, it has to be found.

Takeaways:

• Not all crash investigations involve trained reconstruction experts, and that can limit what’s uncovered.
• Mechanical issues in motorcycles may not leave visible signs and require prompt inspection.
• Phone data, GPS and nearby cameras can provide vital insights but are often overlooked.