Jefferson County, TX — September 7, 2024, Rusel Berg was injured following a car accident at approximately 1:00 a.m. along Southeast Gulfway Drive.

According to authorities, 37-year-old Rusel Berg was traveling in an eastbound Toyota Tacoma pickup truck on Gulfway Drive in the vicinity west of 15th Street when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the pickup truck failed to appropriately control its speed. It was subsequently involved in a rear-end accident with the Ford F-250 behind which it had been traveling.

Berg suffered serious injuries over the course of the accident, according to reports. It doesn't appear that anyone else was hurt. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like the one that left Rusel Berg seriously injured, I know that many people will assume it was simply a case of following too closely or failing to brake in time. While that’s certainly a possibility, my experience has shown me that rear-end collisions—especially those resulting in serious injuries—are often more complex than they first appear. Instead of making assumptions, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure that all possible contributing factors are explored. To that end, there are three critical questions that need to be considered.

First, did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? When a vehicle collides with the rear of another, investigators should determine why that happened. Did law enforcement collect statements from any available witnesses? Did they check for nearby traffic cameras or surveillance footage to confirm whether the lead vehicle braked suddenly or if visibility was an issue? Were there roadway conditions such as poor lighting, wet pavement, or obstructions that may have contributed? The quality of the investigation will determine whether all possible explanations are explored or if key details are overlooked.

Second, has anyone looked into whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? While rear-end collisions are often attributed to driver inattention, mechanical failures—such as brake malfunctions, acceleration issues, or sensor failures—should not be ruled out. If the pickup truck’s braking system failed or its collision avoidance system didn’t activate as intended, that would be a critical factor in understanding how the crash occurred. Additionally, modern vehicles often include advanced driver assistance features—if those systems failed to engage, that would be important to investigate. Unfortunately, vehicle defects are rarely examined unless someone specifically requests a forensic inspection. If the vehicle is quickly repaired or scrapped, any evidence of a defect may be lost before it can be analyzed.

Lastly, have investigators gathered all available electronic data? Most modern vehicles are equipped with event data recorders (EDRs), which capture crucial details such as speed, braking, and throttle input in the moments leading up to a crash. This data could help clarify whether the driver attempted to stop or if the vehicle responded unpredictably. Additionally, if any nearby businesses or traffic cameras recorded the crash, that footage could provide valuable context. If this evidence isn’t secured quickly, it may become unavailable, making it harder to determine the full circumstances of the accident.

At the end of the day, answering these questions could be essential to understanding what really happened and why. A thorough examination of all three of these issues—including the quality of police investigations, possible vehicle defects, and electronic data—is the least that can be done to ensure that those affected by the crash receive the clarity they deserve.