Burnet County, TX — September 26, 2024, Steven Parsons was killed and another was injured in a car accident just before 2:15 p.m. along Ranch to Market 1431.
According to authorities, 69-year-old Steven Parsons was traveling in an eastbound Alfa Romeo on R.M. 1431 in the vicinity northwest of Smithwick when the accident took place.
A westbound pickup truck pulling a trailer apparently began to pull toward the shoulder in order to allow a Kia Forte occupied by a 34-year-old man to pass. However, the maneuver took place in a curve and in a no-passing zone. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the Kia Forte veered left of center during the pass, entering the oncoming lane of traffic. There, it was involved in a head-on collision with the Alfa Romeo.
Parsons reportedly suffered fatal injuries due to the wreck and was declared deceased at the scene. The man from the Forte sustained moderate injuries, as well, according to reports and was transported to a local medical facility for treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a driver loses their life in a head-on collision caused by another vehicle veering into oncoming traffic, it’s natural to look for someone to blame. But in my experience, the path to understanding what really happened starts not with blame, but with questions—three, in particular, that should be asked in any serious crash investigation.
First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A head-on collision in a no-passing zone raises concerns about judgment and visibility, but those conclusions should be supported by hard evidence. Investigators should assess the geometry of the curve, road signage, and whether there were any obstructions that might have made the passing maneuver seem feasible to the driver. It’s also worth determining whether there were witnesses or nearby surveillance that could provide more detail.
Second, has anyone looked into whether a vehicle defect contributed to the wreck? A passing maneuver gone wrong may seem like a simple case of poor decision-making, but mechanical issues—such as stuck throttle, steering problems, or brake failure—can also cause a vehicle to drift or swerve unexpectedly. Unless someone takes the time to preserve and inspect the Kia Forte involved in the collision, any mechanical failure could go completely undocumented.
Lastly, has all the electronic data from the vehicles involved been collected? Event data recorders can capture key moments before the crash—such as speed, braking, and steering input—which can help clarify whether the driver attempted to correct their path or if the vehicle failed to respond. That data is also essential in understanding how quickly events unfolded and whether the oncoming vehicle had any opportunity to react.
Understanding how and why a crash happened is essential—especially when someone has lost their life. The answers don’t always come easily, but they can’t be found unless the right questions are pursued from the start. Asking these questions is the least that can be done to ensure that those affected by this crash get the clarity and closure they deserve.
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