Houston, TX — November 28, 2024, Robin Augustine was injured in a car accident at about 11:30 p.m. on Loop 8/Sam Houston Tollway.

A preliminary investigation reports a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu was headed north when a black SUV made an unsafe lane change and crashed into it. The other driver did not stop.

Chevrolet driver Robin Augustine, 56, suffered suspected serious injuries in the crash near Westpark Drive, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash.

Commentary

When I see reports of a crash like this, my first thought is that the injured driver and their loved ones deserve clear answers about what happened. Hit-and-run accidents raise serious concerns, not only about the crash itself but also about why the other driver fled. In my experience, these cases require careful investigation to ensure that key evidence isn’t lost. Before any conclusions can be reached, three critical areas need to be examined.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Identifying a hit-and-run driver can be challenging, but the sooner authorities act, the better the chances of finding the vehicle involved. Did investigators check for surveillance footage from traffic cameras, nearby businesses or even other drivers’ dashcams? Did they collect debris from the suspect vehicle at the scene? Additionally, witness statements can be critical: did anyone see the SUV’s license plate or recognize the make and model? Without a thorough effort to track down the driver, key evidence could disappear.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect played a role? While the focus is often on the hit-and-run driver’s actions, it’s important to examine whether mechanical issues contributed to the crash. The Chevrolet Malibu involved in this accident is a 2017 model: was its safety system functioning properly? Did its brakes and steering respond as expected when the driver attempted to react? If there was a delay or failure in the vehicle’s systems, that could have made it harder to avoid the collision. Unfortunately, mechanical failures often go unexamined unless someone pushes for a forensic inspection.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? The Chevrolet Malibu likely has an engine control module (ECM) that could provide key details about speed, braking and steering inputs at the moment of impact. Additionally, if authorities locate the SUV, its ECM may hold similar information that could verify the driver’s actions. Traffic cameras, nearby surveillance footage and even phone records could also provide valuable insights: was the hit-and-run driver distracted at the time of the crash? Did they flee because they were impaired? These digital records could be the key to understanding what happened.

A crash like this leaves many unanswered questions, and the least the community owes the victim is a full and complete investigation. If any of these three areas remain unexamined, there’s a real possibility that critical details are being overlooked. Until we know exactly what happened and why, we simply don’t have the full story.