Hays County, TX — June 13, 2024, Mirna Martinez and one other person were injured in a car accident at approximately 8:15 p.m. along the I-35 frontage road.

According to authorities, 42-year-old Mirna Martinez and a 12-year-old girl were traveling in a southwest bound Chevrolet Equinox on the I-35 frontage road making a right turn onto Direct Drive when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a southwest bound Kia Optima occupied by a 22-year-old man failed to appropriately control its speed. A collision consequently occurred between the Optima and the Equinox.

Martinez reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. The man from the Optima suffered minor injuries, as well, according to reports. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle gets struck during a right-hand turn, especially with a child on board, it’s natural to zero in on speed. But crashes like these don’t just come down to how fast one driver was going—they often hinge on whether anyone took the time to understand how and why the collision occurred.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
A right-turn collision should prompt questions about timing, spacing, and visibility. How far ahead of the turn did the Equinox signal? Was there enough distance for the Optima’s driver to anticipate the maneuver and adjust? Did investigators examine the road markings, vehicle paths, or skid marks to determine when each driver made their move? These answers matter—not just for the official record, but to help make sense of the decisions each driver made in those final seconds.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
If the Kia’s driver failed to control speed, was that because of inattention—or because something mechanical prevented it? Braking failures, worn tires, or steering issues can easily turn a manageable situation into a crash. Unless the vehicle was thoroughly inspected, there’s no way to know if a defect played a role, especially if the collision occurred just as the Equinox slowed for a turn.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Both vehicles likely carry event data recorders that track speed, braking, and throttle input. Was that information reviewed to confirm the Optima’s actions leading up to the crash? Was there any traffic camera or dashcam footage to support either version of events? When serious injuries are involved, especially to someone turning cautiously off a frontage road, the evidence needs to go beyond surface-level impressions.

Assuming speed was the only issue skips past all the other possible reasons a crash occurred. Getting to the bottom of it means taking a real look at the moments before impact—not just pointing to what happened after.

Takeaways:

• Right-turn collisions require close review of timing, signaling, and vehicle paths.
• Brake or steering system issues in the striking vehicle must be ruled out through inspection.
• Digital vehicle data and camera footage are often key to verifying pre-impact behavior.