Austin, TX — December 9, 2024, Regina Reyes was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 6:08 P.M. on Clubview Ave.

Authorities are investigating a car accident that left one person dead during the evening rush-hour on December 9th. According to official reports, the collision took place at the intersection of E. Riverside Dr. and Clubview Ave. and caused Regina Reyes to be seriously injured. Reyes, who was a passenger in of the vehicles, was taken by EMS to a nearby hospital for treatment, but ultimately succumbed to their injuries.

This remains an open investigation, therefore certain details have not been released by investigators at this time, however both drivers are reportedly co-operating with police and it currently remains unknown if any charges will be filed.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I first read about this crash, what immediately stuck out to me was the lack of information that was made available. While this could be due to any number of reasons, it does raise a common concern I get frequently is "How do I know the authorities are handling the investigation properly?" To answer that question, I urge anyone to ask three simple, but crucial questions which I have listed below.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?

How thorough is thorough enough? If the investigation is thorough, it will have:

• Accident Reconstruction: Reviewing factors such as braking, speed, point of impact, and more can be vital.
• Witness Statements: Finding and interviewing anyone who may have witnessed the accident can help piece together an otherwise thorough investigation.
• Analysis: Were there any physical conditions that could have contributed to the accident, such as poor roads, shrubs or signs that obstructed view, or inclement weather conditions?

It's important to understand that in any investigation certain aspects such as experience, training, and resources can vary greatly among departments, which often times adds confusion and even more questions.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?

In any collision such as this, its always important to consider whether a vehicle defect may have contributed to the crash. Such defects could include:

• Braking, steering, or acceleration malfunctions that could have led to the crash.
• The effectiveness of safety features such as airbags, seatbelts, or Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) which could have contributed to the crash.
• Known recalls or defects related to either vehicle model that should have been addressed.

These are just a few examples of many possible defects that can contribute to a crash or lead to severe injuries, as the list of all possibilities can be lengthy. Oftentimes it requires an accident reconstructionist well-verse in vehicle defects, forensically examining the vehicles in a laboratory setting, to discover or rule out any vehicle defect.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

Modern vehicles today are equipped with Electronic Control Modules (ECM's). These "black boxes" as their often called, help to provide insights into what was happening with the vehicle just prior and during an accident. The ECM's in the vehicle could reveal such important data as:

• Speed, braking, and turning data.
• GPS data that might reveal the exact movements of the vehicles before the collision.
• Evasive maneuvers, airbag deployment, and blind spot monitoring.

Securing surveillance footage from dash cams, businesses, of traffic cameras can help fill the gaps in an investigation. Additionally, cell phone data can be extremely important, as it can provide an insight into what the driver may have been doing just prior to the crash.

If the authorities handling the investigation are able to answer all of these questions, then it is a good indication that that all the bases are being covered. If however they can't answer them, or if their answers don't meet the satisfaction of those involved, then it may be time to have a fresh set of eyes look at the crash.