Van Zandt County, TX — March 16, 2025, Michael Garland was killed in a car accident at about 3 a.m. on F.M. 314 south of Van.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2002 Buick LeSabre was heading north near F.M. 1995 when it veered off the road for an unknown reason and hit a tree.

Driver Michael James Garland, 20, of Van died in the crash, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Van Zandt County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope the people closest to the driver are able to get the answers they need. A single-vehicle crash that results in a fatality, especially one where the vehicle left the road for reasons unknown, warrants a thorough and careful investigation. These situations are often viewed as the result of driver error, but in my experience, that assumption can leave important questions unanswered. To understand what happened on F.M. 314, we need to ask three critical questions.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A vehicle veering off the road could be the result of many different factors, some avoidable, some not. Was the roadway surface evaluated for oil, gravel or standing water? Were there any signs of evasive action like skid marks? Was lighting adequate, and were the shoulders wide enough to recover safely if the vehicle began to drift? Without a comprehensive review of the crash scene, it’s difficult to know whether the environment may have played a role in the vehicle leaving the roadway.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect may have contributed to the crash? The 2002 Buick LeSabre is an older vehicle, and with age comes increased risk of mechanical issues. A sudden failure in the steering system, a tire blowout or problems with the brakes could easily cause a loss of control. If the vehicle wasn’t preserved for inspection, we may never know if a defect or maintenance-related issue played a role. These are the kinds of details that don’t reveal themselves in a brief report but require close mechanical evaluation by qualified experts.

Finally, has all the electronic data related to the crash been collected? While a 2002 model vehicle might not carry as much onboard data as more modern ones, there may still be valuable insights to gain from available sources. Was the driver using a cell phone or a GPS device that recorded speed or location data? Were there any nearby traffic or surveillance cameras that could have captured the vehicle’s final movements? This type of digital evidence can be crucial in piecing together the vehicle’s trajectory and behavior before the crash, and it must be preserved quickly before it’s lost.

Crashes like this deserve more than a passing explanation. A driver lost his life, and the assumption that the cause is obvious does a disservice to those seeking closure. By asking the right questions, preserving the evidence and exploring every possibility, we give those affected a better chance of understanding what really happened.