Abilene, TX — March 2, 2025, Mckayla Fiveash and one other were injured following a car accident at around 1:55 a.m. along F.M. 707.

Initial details released about the accident say that it happened at the intersection of F.M. 707/Beltway South and U.S. Highway 83.

According to officials, 24-year-old Mckayla Fiveash and another person were in a Hyundai Santa Fe going westbound along F.M. 707. Due to reasons not clear right now, the vehicle left its lane and crashed along a median barrier.

Mckayla Fiveash reportedly was seriously injured in the crash while the passenger had moderate injuries. No other injuries were reported. At this time, no further information is available.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

I get calls about single-vehicle accidents all the time, and I've handled many single-vehicle accident cases across decades of work. A common misconception is thinking these accidents are open-and-shut just because there's only one vehicle involved. Instead, they can present unique challenges simply because they don't always get enough attention from authorities.

For one, authorities don't always have the tools or time to investigate a serious accident. Departments have a lot on their plate, and this can leave officers in a position where they end up having to move on before finishing their report or fill in the blanks with their best guesses. Needless to say, this can result in errors.

Secondly, vehicle defects rarely get enough attention. Things like brake failure, steering issues, or tire failure can lead to serious crashes. Or, safety features like automatic braking, airbags, or seatbelts can fail and cause a crash to be more severe than it otherwise would have been in a safe, functioning vehicle. Failing to at least consider these possibilities risks letting important details slip through the cracks.

Finally, electronic data is another area I rarely see authorities investigate on their own. Most modern vehicles have Engine Control Modules (ECMs) which can store data about speed, steering, and braking. Cell phone data also goes overlooked more than people might realize. And it could be that a security camera at a nearby business or residence caught the accident on video. This evidence is often time-sensitive, so authorities might miss something if they don't take prompt action to investigate these sources.

With all of this in mind, it can help victims and families to simply be proactive and follow up with the authorities. If authorities are able to adequately address a family's concerns, then it's likely the did good, thorough investigations. If authorities come up short or leave doubts, that can be a sign that the investigations need another look to ensure nothing important goes unnoticed.