Parker County, TX — December 7, 2025, Narlon Parten was injured due to a single-car accident shortly after 3:45 p.m. along Farm to Market 5.

According to authorities, 95-year-old Narlon Parten was traveling in a northeast bound Infiniti SUV on F.M. 5 near the Creek Side Drive intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the SUV was involved in a single-vehicle collision in which it apparently struck a guardrail.

Parten reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone is seriously hurt in a single-vehicle crash involving a guardrail, it’s tempting to chalk it up to driver error, especially at higher ages. But experience tells us the moment a vehicle veers off course without explanation, there’s often more to the story than meets the eye.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
A vehicle striking a guardrail should raise immediate questions about what caused the deviation. Did the driver try to avoid something in the roadway? Was there a medical event? Investigators should have documented the full crash path, looked at tire marks, and confirmed whether the driver attempted to steer or brake. Without those basics, the true sequence of events may never be known.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
Sudden steering issues, power loss, or malfunctioning driver-assist systems can all lead to a vehicle leaving its lane. Given that newer SUVs often rely on electronic controls for steering and braking, even a brief system fault can have major consequences. If the Infiniti wasn’t inspected closely after the wreck, there’s a risk that a mechanical or electronic failure may have gone unnoticed.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
The SUV likely contains onboard data that could confirm what happened just before the crash. Details like steering input, brake use, speed, and throttle position can offer a moment-by-moment breakdown of whether the driver was in control—or if something failed internally. In cases like this, GPS tracking or dash camera footage might also shed light on any contributing factors.

When a vehicle winds up in a guardrail without a clear reason, assumptions don’t help. What’s needed is a deeper look at the vehicle, the driver's actions, and the moments leading up to impact.

Takeaways:

• Crash documentation should verify whether evasive action or a sudden deviation occurred.
• Mechanical or electronic failures may cause unexpected loss of control and need inspection.
• Vehicle data can confirm whether the driver attempted to correct course or lost control.