Waco, TX — February 6, 2026, Mikka Cline was injured in a multi-vehicle accident at about 4:15 p.m. on West Waco Drive/U.S. Highway 84.

A preliminary accident report indicates that an eastbound 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan rear-ended a 2023 Ford Bronco near East Johnson Street. Three other vehicles — a 2014 Ram 1500, a 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander and a 2011 Dodge Challengers — also were damaged in the crash.

Ford driver Mikka Cline, 39, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

The other drivers involved in the crash and a 5-year-old boy in the Volkswagen were not injured, the report states.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a serious crash leaves someone badly hurt, there’s always more to understand than what shows up in an early report. Initial summaries tend to focus on what happened in the moment. But the real story often lies in what led up to it, and whether anyone took the time to look closely enough.

The first question that needs to be asked is simple: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?

In a chain-reaction collision involving several vehicles, surface-level observations are rarely enough. It matters whether investigators mapped the scene in detail, measured vehicle resting positions and reconstructed how each impact occurred. Rear-end crashes, especially those that trigger multiple collisions, raise questions about following distance, speed, braking and driver attention. Determining who struck whom first, and why, requires more than photographs and short statements. It takes training, time and sometimes specialized tools like laser mapping and crash reconstruction software. Some officers have extensive crash reconstruction experience, while others may not have the resources or background to fully analyze complex dynamics. That difference can shape the outcome of an investigation.

The second question is just as important: Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?

Modern vehicles rely heavily on electronic braking systems, sensors and driver-assist technology. If a vehicle failed to slow down as expected, there could be more to the story than driver behavior alone. Brake performance, throttle response and collision-avoidance systems should all be examined. Mechanical inspections can reveal issues that aren’t obvious from the outside. In multi-vehicle crashes, it’s especially important to determine whether any vehicle malfunction set the chain of events in motion. Without a careful inspection, that possibility can be overlooked.

The third question often makes the biggest difference: Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

Most newer vehicles record information in the seconds before impact. Engine control modules can show speed, braking, steering input and seatbelt use. Some vehicles also log when advanced safety systems activate, or fail to activate. Phones may reveal distraction. GPS and onboard systems may confirm timing and movement. In a crash involving several vehicles, electronic data can clarify the sequence in ways that memory alone cannot. But that data doesn’t stay available forever. If it isn’t preserved quickly, it can be lost.

Crashes like this remind us that the first version of events is rarely the full one. Real answers come from careful work: measuring, testing, downloading data and asking whether something mechanical or electronic played a role. Without that deeper look, key pieces can remain hidden.

Key Takeaways:

• A multi-vehicle crash requires detailed reconstruction, not just a basic report.
• Mechanical inspections can uncover hidden defects that may have contributed.
• Electronic data from vehicles and devices can confirm what really happened in the moments before impact.