Pedestrian Injured in Car Accident on Oaklawn Road in Pleasanton, TX

Pleasanton, TX — August 7, 2024, one person was injured in a car accident at about 9:05 p.m. on West Oaklawn Road/State Highway 97 near Airport Road.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze was headed west behind another vehicle when that vehicle changed lanes to avoid a pedestrian who was walking in the road. The driver of the Cruze did not see the pedestrian before hitting him.

The pedestrian, a 60-year-old man whose name has not been made public, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities. The Chevrolet driver was not injured.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Atascosa County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I see a report like the one out of Pleasanton, where a pedestrian was seriously hurt after being hit by a vehicle, my first thought is always that I hope everyone involved is getting the help they need, and that they’ll also get clear answers about how and why the crash happened. That might seem straightforward at first glance, but experience tells me these situations often have more layers than people realize. In every serious accident, there are three essential questions that must be answered to fully understand what occurred: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

The first question is whether investigators had the time, training and resources to really dig into the details of this incident. From what’s been made public, it appears the crash happened when the driver of a Chevrolet Cruze struck a pedestrian walking in the road. It’s worth asking whether authorities were able to secure the scene quickly, identify and interview key witnesses — like the driver of the vehicle that reportedly changed lanes — and reconstruct the sequence of events. Pedestrian crashes at night can be especially difficult to piece together, given the limited visibility and the often-hectic conditions of the scene. It’s also important to consider whether factors like lighting, signage or road design might have played a role. Unfortunately, not all departments have access to the specialized resources needed for a comprehensive reconstruction.

Next, while it might seem clear that the pedestrian being in the roadway was the main cause of the crash, it’s still important to explore whether a vehicle defect might have played a role. For example, was the Cruze’s headlight system functioning properly? Were the vehicle’s brakes in working order? A late-model vehicle like a 2016 Cruze has systems that, if malfunctioning, could delay a driver’s reaction or impair visibility. Unfortunately, unless someone preserves the vehicle and conducts a proper forensic inspection, these questions may never be asked, let alone answered. That’s often because people assume a defect isn’t relevant or they no longer have access to the vehicle once it’s been repaired or scrapped.

Lastly, there’s the matter of electronic data. Vehicles like the Cruze typically come equipped with an engine control module, often referred to as a “black box,” which can provide critical details like vehicle speed, braking and steering input in the moments leading up to the crash. It’s also possible the driver’s phone or nearby surveillance cameras captured useful information. Especially in crashes involving pedestrians, this kind of data can help confirm whether the driver took evasive action or had any opportunity to avoid the impact. Sadly, this data often isn’t preserved unless someone actively steps in to secure it right away, and in many cases, it’s simply overlooked.

At the end of the day, serious crashes like this one can change lives in an instant. The very least the community owes the people involved is a complete and thorough understanding of how and why it happened. That can only happen if someone takes the time to ask all the right questions and make sure they’ve done everything possible to get the answers.