Galveston County, TX — March 8, 2025, a man was injured due to a single-car accident shortly before 5:00 a.m. along Interstate Highway 45.

According to authorities, a 42-year-old man was traveling in a southbound Nissan Altima on I.H. 45 (Gulf Freeway) at Main Street when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the Nissan was involved in a single-vehicle accident in which it apparently struck a traffic signal pole. The man reportedly sustained serious injuries due to the wreck. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Crashes that happen on the open freeway, especially in the early morning hours, often raise more questions than they answer—especially when there’s no obvious cause. When a driver ends up seriously hurt after striking a traffic signal pole, the investigation needs to go beyond surface assumptions.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?

A single-vehicle crash in the early morning could be fatigue, distraction, or something entirely mechanical—but only a detailed scene analysis can tell the difference. Did investigators evaluate tire marks, vehicle path, and possible evasive maneuvers? Was the pole located on a curve, an exit ramp, or near a sudden lane shift? These are the kinds of scene dynamics that should be documented but often aren't. Without a comprehensive reconstruction, there's no way to know what led the car off its intended course.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?

Nissan Altimas are generally reliable, but even common models can have specific issues with steering components, electrical systems, or braking. A mechanical failure—especially something sudden like a tire blowout or steering lock—could explain a veer off course into a traffic signal pole. Without a close inspection of the vehicle’s systems post-crash, there’s a real risk that such a failure could go unnoticed, and the blame could fall squarely—if unfairly—on the driver.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

Altimas often include event data recorders that capture details like vehicle speed, brake application, and steering input before a crash. This kind of telemetry can show whether the driver tried to brake or steer out of the situation, or if the car stopped responding. Additionally, navigation systems or smartphone apps could confirm location, timing, or even whether the driver was rerouted or adjusting course when the crash happened. If none of that data was preserved, the timeline and causality stay uncertain.

It’s easy to mark a single-car accident as just another late-night wreck. But every serious injury deserves a full investigation—especially when it’s not clear whether the vehicle or the environment left the driver with no good options.

Key Takeaways:

• Full scene analysis, including tire marks and lane position, helps clarify how the crash occurred.
• Mechanical failures in the steering or braking system should be ruled out with post-crash inspection.
• Vehicle telemetry and app data may confirm whether the car responded as it should before the crash.