Lockhart, TX — July 10, 2024, Michael Krasniewski was killed and another person was injured in a car accident at about 9:40 p.m. in the 1700 block of North Colorado Street.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a northbound 2022 Chevrolet Silverado collided with a southbound 2003 Lincoln Town Car near Silent Valley Road after swerving into the wrong lane when its driver looked down at this phone.

The Lincoln driver, 41-year-old Michael Krasniewski, died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to the report, while a 13-year-old girl riding with him was seriously injured. A 14-year-old girl suffered minor injuries.

The Chevrolet driver, who also had minor injuries, was cited for distracted driving and failing to drive in a single lane, the report states. A teen passenger suffered minor injuries, and another passenger was unhurt.

The report does not include any additional information about the Caldwell County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people are seriously hurt or killed in a crash, there’s often a rush to explain what happened. But early reports rarely tell the full story. Getting real answers means looking beyond surface details and asking the right questions.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? When a driver says they looked down at their phone, that may explain part of the incident but it shouldn’t end the investigation. Did crash reconstruction teams measure skid marks, vehicle positions or impact angles to confirm what happened? Was the scene examined using tools like total stations or 3D mapping? These steps matter, especially in cases involving fatalities, yet not all departments have the resources or training to conduct detailed reconstructions. Without that deeper work, important details can be missed.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Even if distraction appears to be involved, it’s worth asking whether the vehicle did what it was supposed to. Could the Silverado have had a steering issue, brake failure or faulty lane detection system? A mechanical inspection helps confirm whether the vehicle's systems were functioning normally. That kind of check is especially important when actions like sudden swerving are involved.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles and devices carry a lot of information that can help piece together what really happened. Vehicle engine control modules can show speed, steering input and braking in the seconds before impact. Phone records and app logs can confirm whether a driver was actively using their device. GPS data can clarify positioning. These are all valuable tools, but only if someone makes the effort to gather and review them.

When a crash results in serious consequences, it’s important that all angles are reviewed. That includes physical evidence, digital records and potential mechanical factors; not just statements from those involved.

Key Takeaways:

• Crash investigations should include full reconstructions, not just witness statements or driver accounts.
• Mechanical inspections help rule out hidden vehicle issues that could have influenced the crash.
• Digital data from phones and vehicles can confirm the timeline and behavior leading up to impact.