UPDATE (December 4, 2025): Recent reports have been released which identify the monk who was more severely injured in the accident as Bhante Dam Phommasan. These reports have also stated that he apparently had to have surgery to have his leg amputated. No further information is currently available. Investigations remain ongoing.
Dayton, TX — November 19, 2025, two Buddhist monks were injured in a pedestrian versus car accident at approximately 6:15 p.m. along U.S. Highway 90.
According to authorities, a group of approximately a dozen Buddhist monks were participating in a “Walk for Peace” along U.S. Highway 90 in the vicinity of State Highway 99 when the accident took place.
A pilot car was following behind the group of pedestrians with its hazard lights activated. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a pickup truck collided with the group’s pilot car. The pilot car was subsequently pushed into two of the pedestrians.
One of the monks reportedly sustained serious injuries due to the collision; they were flown to an area medical facility in order to receive immediate treatment. The other injured monk suffered less severe injuries and was transported to a local facility by ground ambulance.
Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When pedestrians are struck during a clearly organized event with a safety vehicle in place, the crash raises immediate concerns—not just about what led to the impact, but whether every investigative step is being taken to explain why a protective measure failed to prevent injury. A collision like this isn’t just about a moment of inattention—it’s about a chain of missed opportunities that need to be carefully examined.
1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
With a pilot vehicle already in place, the key question becomes: how did a driver still manage to hit it? Was the hazard visibility properly documented? Did investigators verify whether the pickup driver had adequate distance and time to react before striking the vehicle? Were weather and lighting conditions recorded in detail? And just as critically—was the pilot car’s position consistent with safe spacing and visibility protocols? These questions are crucial to understanding not just what happened, but whether anyone had a meaningful chance to stop it.
2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
A rear-end crash into a vehicle with activated hazards suggests a possible failure in perception or response—but it’s worth asking whether the pickup was mechanically sound. Did its braking system perform correctly? Was there any failure in the truck’s warning systems or forward-collision sensors? Even a short delay in response from critical safety features could be the difference between a near-miss and a pedestrian injury. Unless the vehicle is inspected thoroughly, those questions stay unanswered.
3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Modern pickups often include event data recorders that log speed, brake use, and steering inputs before impact. Was that data accessed to confirm how fast the pickup was traveling and whether any attempt was made to stop? Did the pilot car have any equipment—such as a dashcam or telemetry—that could verify how it was positioned or moving at the time? These digital records could also help confirm whether the collision resulted from driver error or something more complex. They’re essential when reconstructing a crash that involves vulnerable road users.
When a group of pedestrians is accompanied by a pilot vehicle and someone is still seriously hurt, it calls into question whether the facts are being fully uncovered. Surface-level answers won’t explain how a moving hazard with flashing lights went unseen or unavoided. In situations like this, the only way to understand what truly happened is by pressing for every piece of evidence—because only then does the full story start to take shape.
Takeaways:
- Crashes involving protective escort vehicles require close analysis of spacing, visibility, and driver response.
- Mechanical or system failures in the striking vehicle must be ruled out with inspection.
- Onboard vehicle data and any dashcam footage are critical to understanding speed and braking behavior.
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