Martin County, TX — March 18, 2025, an Odessa man sustained injuries following a semi-truck accident at around 5:18 p.m. along Highway 137.

Initial details about the accident say that it took place in the area of County Road 4100, Between Lamesa and Stanton.

According to officials, a 40-year-old Odessa man was in a Dodge Ram traveling northbound along the highway. A Peterbilt semi-truck was also going northbound. In a series of events unclear, the two vehicles collided.

As a result of the crash, the Odessa man sustained serious injuries. There did not appear to be any other injuries. Other details surrounding the accident are unavailable right now.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

With any commercial vehicle accident, details are bound to be more scattered and more complex. That requires careful accident reconstruction with not every police department is equipped to handle. That's why it can be crucial early on to ask key questions about the investigations.

One of the first questions to raise is whether investigators had the proper tools and training to handle a crash involving a commercial truck. Semi-truck collisions often involve more complex dynamics than typical car accidents—factors like stopping distance, blind spots, or shifting cargo come into play. Not every department has the experience or resources to conduct the kind of detailed reconstruction these situations require.

It’s also worth considering whether a vehicle defect may have played a role. That includes not only the smaller vehicle, but also the commercial truck. Issues with brakes, steering, or trailer equipment can all contribute to a crash, and identifying those problems takes a focused inspection. If either vehicle was moved or repaired before being properly examined, crucial evidence may already be gone.

Finally, has all available electronic data been preserved? Many vehicles, including commercial trucks, record valuable crash-related data like speed, braking activity, and driver inputs. That information, paired with phone records or camera footage, can provide essential context—but only if someone acts quickly to secure it.

Ultimately, authorities can show they've been thorough and had the time and tools to get all of this essential information. Other times, these questions help reveal gaps that a more thorough independent investigation may be able to fill. Either way, this can be an important step for anyone affected by a serious car accident.