1 injured in Car Accident on MO 21 in Washington County, MO

Washington County, MO — March 21, 2025, One person was injured following a car accident that occurred at around 5:40 P.M. on MO 21.

Authorities are investigating after a car accident left one person injured on the evening of March 21st. According to official statements, a Dodge Dart operated by a 44-year-old man was travelling on MO 21 in the northbound lanes near Cyclone Road, when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control, causing the Dodge to leave the roadway and strike an embankment, which caused the vehicle to overturn.

When emergency personnel arrived on the scene they found that the driver had been injured and he was transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time it is unclear what caused the vehicle to lose control, and so far investigators are still gathering all the details from the crash, however this remains an ongoing investigation, and additional information may be released by officials at a later date.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope the injured driver receives the care he needs and that those close to him are given the answers they deserve. While a vehicle overturning after leaving the roadway may sound like a clear-cut case of losing control, my experience has shown that these incidents often involve contributing factors that aren’t immediately obvious. Before drawing any conclusions, there are three essential questions that must be asked to ensure a complete and meaningful investigation.

The first question is whether authorities conducted a comprehensive investigation. It’s important that investigators go beyond documenting vehicle damage and road position—they must evaluate whether road conditions, visibility, weather, or even an evasive maneuver in response to a hazard played a role. In a crash like this, where a vehicle strikes an embankment and overturns, it’s especially important to understand the sequence of events leading up to the loss of control and whether any outside factors contributed.

The second question—one that is often overlooked—is whether a mechanical defect contributed to the crash. The Dodge Dart, like all modern vehicles, relies on coordinated systems—steering, brakes, tires, and electronic stability controls—to help maintain control. If any of these systems failed unexpectedly, such as through a brake lock-up or steering malfunction, it could explain the sudden departure from the roadway. These kinds of failures can be difficult to spot without a proper forensic inspection, and if the vehicle is not preserved, the opportunity to uncover a defect may be lost forever.

The third question is whether all available electronic data has been collected. Most vehicles today are equipped with an electronic control module (ECM), which records vital data such as vehicle speed, brake application, steering input, and throttle position in the seconds before a crash. That information is key to determining whether the driver attempted to correct the vehicle’s path and how the vehicle responded. In addition to ECM data, nearby surveillance footage, dashcam recordings, or even data from the driver’s cell phone could provide further insight into the crash. Because this evidence is highly perishable, it must be secured quickly to be of use.

At the end of the day, answering these three questions isn’t just about identifying the cause of a crash—it’s about ensuring that the injured driver and his family are given access to the full truth. Serious crashes can leave behind not only injuries but lasting uncertainty. And the least we can do as a community is ensure that every potential explanation is considered and every piece of evidence preserved before any conclusions are reached.