Lubbock, TX — January 16, 2025, Misty Shaw was killed and Blake Coomer, Raquel Rodriguez were injured following a car accident around 5:11 P.M. on 19th St.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that one person dead and injured several others during the early evening hours of January 16th. According to official reports, Misty Shaw was traveling in the eastbound lanes of 19th Street when for unknown reasons her vehicle entered the westbound lanes and struck a car, and then Shaw's vehicle continued east where it was struck by another vehicle operated by Raquel Rodriguez.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that Shaw had sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased, while Rodriguez and two of her passengers were transported to the hospital after sustaining serious injuries. A passenger of Shaw's, Blake Coomer, was also transported for treatment, and at this time their condition remains unknown.

Commentary

When I read about incidents like this, my first thought is always about the unanswered questions surrounding what happened. Determining how and why a crash like this occurred is critical—not only to provide answers to those directly affected but also to prevent similar events in the future. To get to the bottom of it, there are three key questions that must guide the investigation.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Local law enforcement often handles accident investigations, but their resources and expertise can vary widely. Given the complexity of this collision, which involved multiple impacts and several injured individuals, a thorough reconstruction of the events is necessary. This includes examining skid marks, vehicle damage, and any potential environmental factors that could have contributed. It’s important to confirm whether witness statements have been collected and if investigators accounted for the possibility of impairment, distraction, or other driver-related issues.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? While it’s easy to assume this collision was caused solely by driver error, that assumption can overlook the potential for mechanical issues or design flaws. For instance, sudden loss of steering, brake failure, or even tire blowouts could have caused the eastbound vehicle to enter the westbound lanes. Unfortunately, identifying these kinds of issues requires a detailed forensic examination of the vehicles involved—something that doesn’t always happen unless someone specifically calls for it. Preserving the vehicles for inspection is critical to ensuring no stone is left unturned.

Finally, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles are equipped with electronic systems that can store valuable information, such as speed, braking, and steering inputs leading up to a collision. This data can help clarify what actions the driver took in the moments before impact. In addition, nearby surveillance footage, traffic camera recordings, and even cell phone data might provide additional context. Gathering this evidence promptly is vital, as it can be lost or overwritten if not secured early in the investigation.

Answering these three questions is essential to understanding what happened on January 16th. Crashes like this one disrupt lives, and those affected deserve clear and thorough answers about the circumstances that led to their losses. Whether through official channels or independent investigation, we owe it to the community to ensure every piece of evidence is examined and no possibility is overlooked.