McQueeny, TX — July 13, 2025, one person was injured in a UTV accident at about 8:55 p.m. in the 2500 block of Terminal Loop Road.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2012 Polaris Ranger was heading northwest on Terminal Loop Road when it overturned for an unspecified reason.

The driver, a 49-year-old man whose name has not been made public yet, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report. Another man in the UTV was not hurt.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Guadalupe County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When serious accidents happen on off-road or mixed-use vehicles, the immediate questions often focus on what went wrong in those final moments. But to truly understand how something like this could happen, it's important to look deeper than surface-level assumptions. That's where good investigation begins, by not settling for the obvious.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? It's unclear whether investigators conducted a full reconstruction of the UTV's movement before it rolled. In many cases, these types of crashes get written off quickly as "driver error" without enough time spent mapping the scene or understanding what led up to the rollover. A proper investigation should involve measuring the vehicle’s path, checking for skid marks or steering input and reviewing the driver’s behavior in the moments before impact. Not all officers are equipped with the same training, and that inconsistency can mean key facts are overlooked.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When a utility vehicle flips without clear outside interference, the mechanical systems need to be examined closely. UTVs, especially older models, can be prone to suspension problems, steering malfunctions or uneven weight distribution that increases the risk of rollover. Without a thorough inspection of the Polaris Ranger itself, it’s impossible to rule out a defect that might have contributed. Unfortunately, those kinds of inspections rarely happen unless someone insists on it.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? While UTVs like the Polaris Ranger don’t usually carry black boxes like cars do, there are still potential sources of digital evidence. If either occupant had a smartphone or a GPS-enabled device on them, location and speed data might provide clues about how fast they were going and whether any sudden movements occurred before the vehicle overturned. Even nearby security or traffic cameras, though less likely in remote areas, could offer helpful context.

Digging into crashes like this one means going beyond assumptions. When investigators treat a case as open-ended instead of obvious, there's a much better chance of getting to the truth. Otherwise, important answers can be missed.

Key Takeaways:

• Not all crash investigations involve deep scene analysis or reconstruction.
• Mechanical issues on older UTVs may go unnoticed without a thorough inspection.
• Phones or GPS data can help clarify how a crash unfolded, even without vehicle black boxes.