Rains County, TX — November 18, 2024, Sandy Linderman and another woman were injured in a car accident at around 9:30 p.m. along U.S. Highway 69.

According to authorities, 53-year-old Sandy Linderman was traveling in a southeast bound Ford Explorer on U.S. Highway 69 in the vicinity northwest of 1st Street when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a northwest bound Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck occupied by a 19-year-old woman failed to safely execute a pass on the left. It subsequently veered over the center median, entering the oncoming lanes of traffic. There, it was apparently involved in a head-on collision with the Explorer.

Linderman reportedly suffered serious injuries over the course of the accident. The woman from the Dodge sustained more minor injuries, reports state. 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 serious crash like the one involving Sandy Linderman on U.S. Highway 69 takes place, it’s critical to ensure that a complete and thorough investigation is conducted. With my decades of experience handling crash cases, I’ve seen firsthand how often key evidence can be overlooked, leading to incomplete or inaccurate conclusions. That’s why I always encourage people to focus on three key questions: Did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? Has all the electronic data related to the accident been collected?

Authorities report that the driver of the Dodge Ram allegedly failed to execute a safe pass, crossing over the center median and into oncoming traffic. While that may seem like a straightforward explanation, it’s still important to confirm why that happened. Was the driver distracted, fatigued, or impaired? Did she misjudge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles, or did another factor contribute? A thorough investigation should include speaking with witnesses, checking for available surveillance footage, and confirming whether road conditions or visibility played a role. If authorities rely only on assumptions instead of verifying key details, there’s a risk that the official record won’t tell the full story.

Another important aspect to consider is whether a mechanical issue or vehicle defect contributed to the wreck. If the Dodge experienced a steering or braking failure, for example, that could explain why it veered into the wrong lane. Issues like tire blowouts, unintended acceleration, or faulty lane departure warnings could also be relevant. However, law enforcement investigations don’t typically go beyond surface-level assessments unless someone pushes for deeper scrutiny. That means it may take an independent review by experienced professionals to determine if a defect was involved.

Additionally, a complete investigation should ensure that all available electronic data is secured and analyzed. Modern vehicles store valuable information, such as speed, braking, and steering inputs, which can help clarify what happened in the moments leading up to the crash. If a vehicle’s safety systems failed or didn’t respond appropriately, that data could provide evidence that might otherwise go unnoticed. However, this information isn’t automatically reviewed by law enforcement unless someone takes steps to obtain and analyze it.

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.