1 Injured in Car Accident on SH 87 in West Orange, TX

West Orange, TX — March 27, 2025, One person was injured following a car accident that occurred at around 9:00 P.M. on SH 87.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person injured during the evening hours of March 27th. According to official reports, a woman was operating her vehicle in the intersection of State Highway 87 and FM 105 when it was struck by an out of control vehicle. According to official statements, the vehicle that lost control reportedly had been approaching the intersection when the brakes malfunctioned and the vehicle swerved to avoid a car and entered the intersection when it struck the vehicle.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the female driver had sustained serious injuries and after she was extricated with the jaws of life she was transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the status of her injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle enters an intersection and strikes another after reportedly losing braking ability, there are serious implications that go well beyond a typical collision. In this situation, three critical questions must be asked: (1) Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? (2) Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? (3) Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

The report that the striking vehicle experienced a brake malfunction should be a focal point of the investigation. Brake failures are not common in well-maintained, properly functioning vehicles, and when they do occur, they demand immediate mechanical scrutiny. Investigators should examine the entire braking system—including master cylinders, brake lines, ABS components, and any electronic brake control units—to determine whether a component failure or design defect may have been involved. This is not the kind of issue that should be taken at face value or explained away by driver perception alone.

Beyond the immediate mechanical inspection, it’s important to assess whether the vehicle in question has a history of similar problems, either through technical service bulletins or manufacturer recalls. Even in the absence of a formal recall, patterns of reported braking issues in similar vehicles may indicate a broader safety concern that warrants further examination.

The vehicle’s electronic control modules (ECMs) can also offer critical insights. These systems often record whether the brakes were applied, how much pressure was used, and how the vehicle responded. If the driver did, in fact, apply the brakes and the system failed to respond, that should be reflected in the data. However, this information is perishable and must be secured promptly to ensure its integrity. If not preserved early in the investigation, it could be lost—along with key answers about what truly caused the crash.

Until these three questions are fully and systematically addressed, it’s impossible to understand the full scope of what happened. Investigations involving suspected mechanical failures must go beyond routine crash assessments to include detailed inspections and electronic data retrieval. Only through this level of diligence can we ensure a complete and accurate understanding of the incident—and work to prevent future harm.