Bastrop County, TX — January 18, 2025, a man and a woman were injured in a single-car accident just before 2:00 a.m. along Farm to Market 20.

According to authorities, a 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were traveling in a northbound Ford Expedition on F.M. 20 in the vicinity north of Earl Callahan Road when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the Expedition failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It was consequently involved in a single-vehicle collision in which it apparently struck a fence. Both occupants of the Ford reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identities of the victims—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle veers out of its lane and crashes into a fixed object—in this case, a fence—many are quick to label it driver error and move on. But serious injuries like those suffered by both occupants of the Ford Expedition in this Bastrop County crash demand a deeper investigation. In my experience, single-vehicle crashes often involve contributing factors that aren't obvious from the initial report. To understand what really happened, we need to start with three essential questions.

First, did authorities thoroughly examine the crash scene and environmental conditions? Rural roads like F.M. 20 can present unique hazards: narrow shoulders, poor lighting, sharp curves, or obstructions in the road. Was there an attempt to avoid an animal, debris, or another vehicle? Were the lanes clearly marked and was the surface dry and intact? Investigators should have closely documented the road layout, skid patterns, point of impact, and any nearby surveillance or trail cameras that might offer insight into what preceded the crash.

Second, has anyone considered whether a mechanical failure might have contributed? A sudden issue with the Expedition’s brakes, steering system, or a tire blowout could easily cause the vehicle to drift or swerve out of control—especially at night and on a rural highway. These kinds of failures can’t be diagnosed without a forensic inspection of the vehicle, which should be preserved in its post-crash condition to allow for a complete evaluation.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? Modern vehicles like the Ford Expedition are typically equipped with event data recorders that capture pre-crash information: speed, steering angle, throttle position, and brake usage. This data can be critical in understanding whether the driver attempted to regain control and how the vehicle responded. Investigators should also explore GPS data, dashcam footage (if available), and cell phone records that could help establish a clearer picture of what was happening in the seconds leading up to the crash.

Answering these three questions is critical to making sure that no stone is left unturned in understanding the causes of a crash like this. Serious wrecks deserve serious investigation, not assumptions. Getting clear answers to these questions is crucial for those seeking to understand what happened and why—and it's the least that can be done to help those affected find the clarity and closure they deserve.