Dixon, MO — May 17, 2025, One person was injured following a car accident that occurred at around 9:00 P.M. on Highway 28.
An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person injured during the evening hours of May 17th. According to official reports, a Kia Sorento operated by a 40-year-old man was traveling on Highway 28 in the southbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and left the roadway and struck the ground causing it to become airborne before striking the ground again.
When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the driver had sustained serious injuries and they were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the identity of the driver or the status of their injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
After a crash like this, most people are left wondering how something so severe could happen out of nowhere. A vehicle leaves the road, becomes airborne, and crashes back to the ground—this isn’t a typical loss-of-control situation. In my experience, these kinds of events often point to deeper issues that require a much closer look. And if we want to understand the full story, we have to ask the right questions—especially the ones that don’t get asked nearly enough.
First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
High-speed crashes that end with a vehicle going airborne are often the result of more than just driver error. Was the vehicle approaching a rise in the road, an uneven shoulder, or a steep slope that acted like a ramp? Was there a drop-off or obstruction that caused the car to launch? Highway 28 may appear routine, but even a slight change in elevation or a poorly maintained edge can lead to disastrous results. A thorough investigation should include detailed mapping of the roadway, skid mark analysis, and a review of environmental conditions at the time of the crash. Anything less risks missing the bigger picture.
Second, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
If the Kia Sorento suddenly left the roadway, it’s worth asking whether a mechanical issue played a role. Problems with the suspension, steering, or brakes could easily prevent a driver from staying in their lane, especially on a curving or uneven stretch of highway. Even something like a tire blowout or failure of the stability control system could have made the vehicle impossible to handle. These systems are designed to help drivers recover from loss-of-control situations—but they can’t do their job if they’re not functioning correctly. Unless the vehicle undergoes a thorough inspection, this line of questioning may never be explored.
Third, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Most vehicles today, including the Kia Sorento, are equipped with onboard systems that record vital information in the seconds leading up to a crash. That includes speed, throttle input, braking, and steering actions. This kind of data helps piece together exactly how the vehicle behaved and whether the driver attempted to correct course. It can also show if the vehicle’s safety features engaged or failed. However, this data doesn’t stay available forever. If it hasn’t already been retrieved, the opportunity to understand those final seconds could be slipping away.
Crashes like this may seem like one-off events, but in reality, they often follow a chain of overlooked causes—road design, vehicle performance, or split-second driver decisions. Only by asking the hard questions and examining every possible factor can we start to understand what truly happened and help prevent the next one.
Key Takeaways:
- Investigators should carefully evaluate the roadway’s layout, shoulder condition, and potential elevation changes.
- Mechanical issues such as tire, steering, or suspension failures could have contributed and should be inspected.
- Vehicle data should be downloaded quickly to preserve key details about speed, braking, and driver response before the crash.
