Williamson County, TX — July 29, 2024, Victor Perez and a minor were injured due to a car accident just after 3:45 p.m. along State Highway 95.

According to authorities, 42-year-old Victor De La Cruz Perez and a 13-year-old boy were traveling in a northbound Honda Odyssey minivan on S.H. 95 in the vicinity of the Oak Street intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, a westbound Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck exited a private drive and entered the intersection at an apparently unsafe time, failing to yield the right-of-way to roadway traffic. A collision consequently occurred between the front-end of the minivan and the left side of the pickup truck.

Both Perez and the boy who had been a passenger in the minivan reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. They were transported to local medical facilities by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a routine drive ends in a serious collision, especially one involving a child, it’s only natural to want swift answers. But getting real clarity means looking beyond the initial blame and making sure the facts were fully explored.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
A crash where a truck exits a private drive and enters directly into oncoming traffic raises critical questions about timing and visibility. Did investigators take measurements at the scene to confirm how much time the Dodge Ram had to clear the intersection? Was the Odyssey’s speed and lane position verified using tire marks or debris paths? A meaningful investigation should involve scene mapping and an analysis of how the collision unfolded second by second. If the investigation relied solely on visual damage and basic statements, it may have missed important details about how this happened.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
People are quick to assume that entering traffic too soon is always a driver’s mistake—but mechanical problems can lead to similar results. Did the Ram’s brakes respond when the driver intended to stop? Was there an issue with the throttle or steering that caused unexpected motion? On the other end, was the Odyssey able to brake or maneuver as expected? Faulty components don’t always leave obvious signs behind, and unless both vehicles were thoroughly inspected, those possibilities might have been overlooked.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Both the minivan and the pickup truck were likely equipped with systems that recorded useful data in the seconds before the crash—things like speed, braking, and steering input. If retrieved, that data could confirm whether either driver attempted to react or avoid the collision. Traffic or security camera footage might also offer a clear view of how the crash played out. The question is whether anyone took timely steps to secure that evidence before it was lost.

When two people are seriously hurt—especially when one is a young passenger—it’s not enough to assume what happened. Getting to the truth means pushing past assumptions and making sure every angle was explored.

Takeaways:

• Private drive crashes demand careful timing and path analysis by investigators.
• Mechanical failures can mimic driver mistakes and need to be ruled out.
• Electronic vehicle data and camera footage are key to understanding who did what.