Harris County, TX — September 21, 2025, Samuel Kunkel was injured due to a single-car accident at approximately 9:00 p.m. along Wallisville Road.

According to authorities, 30-year-old Samuel Kunkel was traveling in an eastbound Nissan 2-door sedan on Wallisville Road at the Eastbound Boulevard intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the Nissan was involved in a single-vehicle collision in which it apparently struck a utility pole. Kunkel reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a driver ends up seriously hurt in a crash involving no one else, it’s easy for people to stop asking questions. But just because another vehicle wasn’t involved doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to learn. Some of the most important facts in single-car accidents are the ones least likely to be examined.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
A nighttime collision with a fixed object like a utility pole raises several possibilities. Was there a full scene analysis? Did investigators review the vehicle’s path, tire marks, or signs of braking? These details can help determine whether the driver made any evasive moves or if the car’s trajectory suggests something sudden and unexpected. The reality is, not every investigation gets this level of attention—especially if the scene appears straightforward on the surface.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
When a car veers off and hits a pole, it's easy to assume the driver was distracted or speeding. But critical mechanical issues—like steering failure, brake lock-up, or electrical malfunctions—can cause the same result. The trouble is, those problems aren’t always visible at the crash site. Without a professional inspection of the car, the true cause might remain buried.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
The answers to what happened often sit inside the vehicle itself. Most modern sedans record key data points: how fast the car was going, whether the driver braked, and how the steering wheel was handled. That kind of data, along with GPS and possible phone use, can clarify things that witness accounts or physical evidence can’t. But once that data is lost or overwritten, it can’t be recovered—making timing critical.

In crashes where no other vehicle is involved, there’s a real risk of jumping to conclusions. But the truth is rarely that simple. Unless someone takes the time to ask the right questions, important answers may never come to light.

Takeaways:

• Single-vehicle crashes need more than a quick review to uncover the real cause.
• Mechanical failures can lead to sudden loss of control and often go uninvestigated.
• Vehicle data may explain what happened but must be retrieved promptly.