Fort Worth, TX — December 15, 2024, Thomas Klein and two others were injured following a car accident at around 9:30 p.m. along Alliance Gateway Freeway.

Preliminary information about the accident says that it happened near the intersection of Highway 170 and Old Denton Road.

According to officials, 44-year-old Thomas Klein was in a Jeep Wrangler going westbound at the time. Two people, a 51-year-old Haltom City woman and a 75-year-old woman, were in a Honda Civic also going westbound. Somehow, the vehicles collided.

Due to the crash, the two women in the Honda had serious injuries. Thomas Klein had reportedly less severe injuries. No further information about the crash can be confirmed at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When it comes to car accidents, people tend to just assume authorities have everything handled since car accidents are common. But since authorities already have so much on their plates, these situations sometimes are seen as a low priority. As a result, people involved in the accidents sometimes have to be proactive to make sure they're actually going to get all the evidence they need. Experience taught me a few key questions which can help in this regard.

One of the first things to ask is whether the crash was fully and accurately investigated. Even at 9:30 p.m., visibility can be limited, and important details—like vehicle positions, impact angles, or roadway conditions—can be overlooked if investigators don’t have enough time or resources. Without careful documentation, it becomes difficult to determine exactly how the collision happened and why.

It’s also worth considering whether a vehicle defect might have played a role. Something like a brake failure, tire blowout, or steering issue in either vehicle could easily cause a loss of control. But unless the vehicles are preserved and examined closely, those defects may never come to light. That’s why it’s important not to assume the cause is obvious without a full mechanical inspection.

Lastly, has all crash-related electronic data been gathered? Both the Jeep and the Honda Civic may have Engine Control Modules (ECMs) that can show speed, braking, and steering input just before the crash. Paired with any available dashcam footage, phone records, or nearby surveillance cameras, this data can be crucial for getting an accurate picture of what happened. But if no one acts quickly to preserve it, that evidence could disappear.

If authorities have satisfactory answers to these concerns, then that's a sign their investigations were likely thorough and taken seriously. But if their responses show they were hasty or haphazard in their efforts, then it gives victims and families the opportunity to seek out more thorough independent investigators.