Odessa, TX — December 14, 2024, Tatiana Delatorre was injured in a car accident at about 2:10 a.m. on Interstate 20 Business near Country Club Road.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2022 Honda Accord was heading west when it veered off the road for some reason and hit a light pole.

Driver Tatiana Delatorre, 20, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to the report.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I see a report like the one from Odessa, where a driver was seriously injured after crashing into a light pole, my first concern is whether all the right questions are being asked. At first glance, people often assume a single-vehicle crash must be the result of a mistake by the driver. But over the years, I’ve seen that crashes like these are often far more complex than they appear. That’s why it’s critical to approach every serious accident with three key questions: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

Starting with the investigation, the early morning timing of the crash raises questions about lighting conditions, visibility and whether there were any other contributing factors such as road debris or nearby vehicle activity. Authorities say the 2022 Honda Accord left the roadway and struck a light pole, but that doesn’t explain why the car veered off course. A proper crash investigation would involve examining the roadway for skid marks, checking for signs of evasive action and looking into the conditions of the area surrounding the crash site. It also means considering whether other drivers were nearby who might have influenced what happened, even if they didn’t stay at the scene. Not all departments have the resources or training to conduct this level of analysis, which means critical details can sometimes be overlooked.

Next, there’s the possibility of a vehicle defect. The vehicle involved here is a fairly new 2022 Honda Accord. While newer vehicles benefit from advanced safety features, they also rely heavily on complex electronics, everything from steering assistance to braking systems to lane-keeping features. If any of these systems malfunctioned or gave the driver incorrect input, that could explain the sudden loss of control. Similarly, a mechanical failure like a blown tire or brake issue could have played a role. But unless someone preserves the vehicle and performs a forensic examination, it’s unlikely those questions will ever be answered. People often assume newer vehicles don’t have defects, but even modern systems can fail in ways that are difficult to detect without a detailed inspection.

Finally, investigators need to consider whether electronic data has been preserved. A 2022 Accord is equipped with an engine control module that stores valuable information about what the vehicle was doing just before the crash: speed, throttle input, braking and more. That data can help paint a much clearer picture of what happened in those final moments. In addition, nearby traffic or security cameras, phone records or GPS data might offer further context. Unfortunately, unless someone steps in to secure that evidence quickly, it’s often lost before it can be reviewed.

At the end of the day, when someone suffers serious injuries in a crash, it’s not enough to settle for assumptions. We owe it to the victim and to anyone affected by a serious accident to ensure that all the facts are uncovered and every possibility is explored. That starts with asking the right questions, and making sure the community does everything it can to find the answers.