Wharton County, TX — December 21, 2024, Theron Taylor was killed following a single-car accident at approximately 12:30 a.m. along Schleys Crossing Road.

According to authorities, 51-year-old Theron Taylor was traveling in a northeast bound BMW on Schleys Crossing Road in the vicinity northeast of the Davidek Road intersection when the accident took place.

Details surrounding the accident remain scarce. officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the BMW failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It reportedly veered off of the roadway, crashing into a culvert and overturning before coming to a stop. Taylor suffered fatal injuries over the course of the accident, according to reports. 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 single-vehicle accidents result in a fatality, a thorough investigation is essential to determine how and why the crash occurred. In my experience, understanding the factors behind a collision like this requires careful attention to three critical questions.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A vehicle veering off the road and overturning raises immediate questions about the circumstances leading to the loss of control. Investigators should examine physical evidence, such as tire marks, debris, and the vehicle’s final position, to reconstruct the sequence of events. Witness statements or any available footage from nearby cameras or dashcams could provide further context, including whether speed, distractions, or external conditions contributed to the crash.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect might have played a role? Mechanical issues, such as brake malfunctions, steering failures, or tire blowouts, could prevent a driver from maintaining control of their vehicle. A forensic inspection of the BMW is critical to identify or rule out any mechanical problems that may have influenced the vehicle’s trajectory or ability to recover after leaving the roadway. Additionally, it’s important to evaluate whether the vehicle’s safety systems, such as seat belts and airbags, functioned as designed to mitigate injuries.

Finally, has all relevant electronic data been collected? Modern vehicles like the BMW are equipped with event data recorders (EDRs) that can capture critical information, such as speed, braking, and steering inputs leading up to the crash. This data can help clarify whether the vehicle’s movements were consistent with driver input or indicative of a mechanical failure. If available, nearby surveillance footage or dashcam recordings could also shed light on any external factors, such as obstacles or other vehicles, that may have contributed. Securing this evidence promptly is crucial to preserving valuable details.

Single-vehicle accidents involving loss of control and rollovers often require a detailed investigation to identify all contributing factors. By addressing these questions, investigators can work toward providing a clearer understanding of what happened and why. For the loved ones of Theron Taylor, obtaining these answers is a necessary step toward understanding and closure. A comprehensive investigation is the least that can be done to ensure every possible factor is carefully examined.