Jasper, TX — November 11, 2024, Ashley Nicole Read and Miguel Orta were injured in a three-car accident about 7 a.m. near the intersection of U.S. Highway 96 and Houston Street.
Authorities said a 2016 Toyota pickup, headed north on U.S. 96/Wheeler Street, collided with a 2019 Ford Explorer that was going east on Houston Street.
The impact caused the Ford to crash into a 2024 Jeep Compass and roll over in the middle of the road, according to authorities.
Jasper resident Ashley Nicole Read, 29, was reportedly driving the Ford. Buna resident Miguel Orta, 18, was the driver of the Toyota, authorities said. Both were transported to a local hospital after the crash, although authorities did not detail the extent of their injuries.
The driver of the Jeep and two child passengers do not appear to have been injured in the crash.
Police reportedly have not issued any citations as a result of the accident at this point.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
The multi-vehicle crash near U.S. Highway 96 and Houston Street in Jasper, which injured two drivers injured, appears to have a lot of moving parts. Here are some questions that come to mind that I haven’t seen answered.
1. Are authorities thoroughly investigating the crash?
At this stage, police have not issued any citations, and it’s unclear how far the investigation has progressed. Given the complexity of a three-vehicle collision—especially one involving a rollover—comprehensive accident reconstruction is essential. Such an investigation should include:
- Reviewing the timing and synchronization of traffic signals at the intersection.
- Analyzing the positions and trajectories of the vehicles to determine right-of-way violations or other contributing factors.
- Collecting witness statements to corroborate the sequence of events.
Official investigations often face constraints in resources or time. For affected families, an independent investigation can help uncover details that might be missed in the initial review.
2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
Vehicle defects, whether mechanical or design-related, sometimes can play a hidden role in collisions. For example:
- Was there a brake or steering failure in any of the vehicles involved?
- Did the Ford Explorer’s stability control system fail to prevent the rollover, or did the vehicle’s design contribute to its susceptibility?
- Were there any other malfunctions in the Toyota or Jeep that affected its handling or control?
These questions highlight the need to preserve the vehicles for thorough forensic examination. Vehicle defects are less common than driver-related errors. As a consequence, vehicle defects can often be overlooked in a standard crash investigation.
3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Modern vehicles come equipped with engine control modules provide relevant information about speed, braking and steering inputs in the moments leading up to the crash. Dashcams, traffic cameras and even nearby surveillance systems can be used to paint a more accurate picture of what actually took place.
Of course, none of this helps anyone if someone doesn’t bother to collect it in the first place. Prompt action ensures this evidence is preserved before it is overwritten or lost. For the families involved, understanding this data could be pivotal in determining what caused a crash.
At this point you might be thinking, “That sounds great, Mike, but how does anyone know if investigators followed all these steps?” Over the years, my simple rule for people trying to determine if their crash investigation was thorough is that when all of your questions are answered, investigators have done a good job. If there are unanswered questions, then maybe investigators weren’t as thorough as they should have been.
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