San Angelo, TX — March 9, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 9:00 P.M. on Highway 87.
An investigation is underway into a car accident that left one person dead during the evening hours of March 9th. According to official reports, a pickup operated by a 55-year-old man was travelling on Highway 87 in the southbound lanes when for unknown reasons the vehicle left the roadway and struck a concrete pillar of an overpass.
When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the driver had sustained fatal injuries and he was pronounced deceased. At this time there has been no further information released about the accident, including what caused the truck to lose control, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released in the future.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators are taking every step necessary to determine what really happened. A vehicle leaving the roadway and striking a fixed object may seem like a straightforward case of driver error, but in my experience, these types of crashes often turn out to be far more complex. To get a complete picture, we have to ask three key questions.
The first question is whether authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Reports state that the vehicle left the roadway for “unknown reasons,” which suggests that there may not be an obvious explanation. Did the driver swerve to avoid something? Were there environmental factors like poor road conditions, low visibility, or debris? Did investigators take the time to document the scene, interview witnesses, and consider all possible contributing factors? Since law enforcement agencies have varying levels of training and resources for crash investigations, it’s important to evaluate whether an independent review is necessary.
The second question—one that is often overlooked—is whether a vehicle defect could have played a role. Vehicles are complex machines, and mechanical failures such as brake malfunctions, steering issues, or even an unintended acceleration event could explain why a driver suddenly loses control. Tire blowouts are another common but often underdiagnosed cause of single-vehicle crashes. The key to uncovering such issues is ensuring that the vehicle is preserved for forensic examination. Unfortunately, in many cases, vehicles are quickly disposed of or repaired before anyone has a chance to investigate them for defects.
Finally, we have to ask whether all electronic data related to the crash has been collected. The truck’s electronic control module (ECM) may contain valuable information about the moments leading up to the crash, including speed, braking, and engine performance. Additionally, nearby traffic cameras, dashcams, or even GPS data from the driver’s phone could provide crucial context. If authorities don’t act quickly to secure this data, it may be lost forever.
At the end of the day, crashes like this upend lives, and those affected deserve real answers—not just assumptions. By ensuring a full and thorough investigation that considers all possibilities, we can provide clarity and accountability to those seeking to understand what happened.
