Mesquite, TX — July 16, 2025, Robin Terrell was injured in a car accident at about 7 p.m. in the 1600 block of Cascade Street.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2015 Nissan Sentra was heading east when it hit a parked 2018 Ram 3500 and crashed into a tree near the intersection with Northridge Drive.

Driver Robin Terrell, 69, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Dallas County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone is seriously hurt in a car crash, the search for answers often feels just as urgent as the need for medical care. People naturally want to understand how a situation turned so quickly, and whether something could have been done to prevent it. That’s why digging deeper into the circumstances around any crash is more than routine; it’s essential.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? It’s not always clear from initial reports whether the responding officers had the tools or time to fully investigate what happened. In cases like this, where a vehicle strikes both a parked car and a fixed object, there’s a lot that should be pieced together: vehicle speeds, steering angles, points of impact and whether the driver attempted to avoid the crash. Ideally, investigators would document the scene in detail, using laser mapping and a full reconstruction, but that level of effort varies widely depending on who arrives first. Some departments have trained crash reconstructionists on hand; others may not.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When a car seems to veer off course without warning, it raises the question of whether something within the vehicle malfunctioned. Older cars, like the one involved here, may be at higher risk for issues such as brake failure, power steering problems or even electronic faults. Without a mechanical inspection, it’s impossible to rule those out. A crash involving multiple impacts can often mask the original cause unless someone takes the time to check the vehicle systems directly.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles often hold critical information that can shed light on the moments before a crash. That can include whether the brakes were applied, how fast the car was going and even if the driver’s hands were on the wheel. Onboard systems, paired with traffic camera footage or phone data, can tell a much fuller story than what’s visible at the scene. The key is whether anyone bothered to retrieve and review it.

There’s always more to a crash than twisted metal and skid marks. What truly matters is whether the right questions were asked early enough to protect the evidence and uncover the truth. Without that effort, important details risk being lost for good.

Key Takeaways:

• Not every crash scene gets the full investigative attention it may deserve.
• Mechanical failures can trigger crashes without leaving obvious signs.
• Vehicle data can provide vital insights, if someone retrieves it in time