Grand Prairie, TX — November 17, 2024, Santa Estefania Vigil and four other people were injured in a multi-vehicle accident at about 3:10 a.m. on State Highway 360.

A preliminary accident report indicates that four vehicles were involved in a crash while traveling south on S.H. 360 near Fountain Parkway. A 2017 Hyundai Sonata and a 2015 Chevrolet C1500 Suburban sustained front-end damage in the accident, while a 2017 Toyota Corolla and 2017 Toyota Sienna had back-end damage.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 24-year-old man whose name has not been made public, suffered suspected serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities. His passenger, another 24-year-old man, was not injured.

Sienna driver Santa Estefania Vigil, 30, and two women in the Corolla, the 33-year-old driver and 28-year-old passenger, suffered minor injuries, the report states.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Tarrant County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that those involved deserve clear answers about what happened. That may seem simple, but in my experience, multi-vehicle accidents — especially those occurring in the early morning hours — often involve more complexity than they first appear. To fully understand what led to this collision, three critical questions must be asked.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? With four vehicles involved, reconstructing the sequence of events is essential. Did investigators determine which vehicle initiated the crash? Were speed, distraction or fatigue contributing factors? Did road or weather conditions play a role? Multi-vehicle crashes often result from a chain reaction, and it’s important that authorities examine each vehicle’s movements to ensure an accurate understanding of how the accident unfolded.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? Front-end and rear-end damage suggest that at least some of the vehicles involved were unable to stop in time. Were the brakes functioning properly? Did any of the vehicles experience sudden acceleration or steering issues? Could a lighting failure or other mechanical defect have contributed to reduced visibility or reaction time? Unfortunately, defect-related crashes often go undiagnosed unless someone takes the time to investigate these possibilities before the vehicles are repaired or scrapped.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? Many modern vehicles, including those involved in this crash, store black box data that can provide crucial information about speed, braking and steering input in the moments leading up to impact. If retrieved, this data could clarify whether drivers attempted to avoid the crash or if their vehicles responded as expected. Additionally, surveillance footage from nearby businesses or highway cameras may help piece together the crash sequence. Given that the accident occurred at 3:10 a.m., cell phone records should also be reviewed to determine whether distraction or drowsiness played a role.

At the end of the day, multiple people were injured, and the least that can be done is to ensure a full and fair investigation that leaves no stone unturned. The only way to truly understand what happened — and to provide real answers to those affected — is by asking the right questions and ensuring that every possible piece of evidence is examined.