Milam County, TX — December 24, 2025, Cooper Elsik and a 17-year-old girl were killed and three other people were injured in a car accident at about 7 p.m. on U.S. Route 79 near Rockdale.
Authorities said an eastbound 2008 Dodge Ram hauling a utility trailer collided with a westbound 2019 Ford Escape near County Road 334. The Ford lost control and crashed into a 2026 Infiniti QX60 that had been heading east as well.
Ford driver Cooper Andrew Elsik, 18, of Georgetown and his passenger, a 17-year-old girl, died in the crash, according to authorities.
All three people in the Infiniti were hospitalized with serious injuries, authorities said.
No other injuries were reported.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Milam County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
After a serious collision like this, there are always basic questions that matter for understanding what happened and what hasn’t been fully answered. Thinking about how the investigation was done, whether a vehicle problem might have played a role and if all the data was captured can help families and lawyers see what’s been looked at and what still needs attention.
Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? It’s important to know whether investigators went beyond just a quick look at the scene. A complete investigation would include careful mapping of where each vehicle ended up, documenting tire marks, talking to all witnesses and checking things like driver actions right before impact. In many jurisdictions, not all officers have advanced crash reconstruction training, so how deeply they dug into these elements can vary. Knowing if trained reconstruction specialists worked the scene and if efforts to piece together vehicle paths were detailed is key.
Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Sometimes a problem with a vehicle can contribute, especially if what happened doesn’t align with normal driving behavior. Brake issues, steering problems or other mechanical failures aren’t always obvious without an expert look. When clues are subtle, a professional inspection of the vehicles involved can reveal if something critical didn’t work the way it was supposed to. That step is often overlooked when the focus stays only on roadway and driver factors.
Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles and road environments produce a lot of data that can help clarify events. Engine control modules can record braking, throttle use and speed right up to a crash. Phones, GPS logs and nearby traffic cameras can show timing and driver attention. Knowing whether authorities gathered and analyzed these data sources matters because they often confirm or contradict what people remember.
What happens at a crash site in the first hours and days sets the foundation for later clarity. When investigators take the time to look deeply, check for hidden vehicle problems and gather all the electronic recordings, we get closer to understanding why the collision unfolded the way it did.
Key Takeaways
- A thorough investigation goes beyond the obvious and looks for evidence of how vehicles moved and how drivers acted.
- Mechanical and system failures in vehicles deserve professional review to rule out defects.
- Electronic data from vehicles and cameras can provide objective insight into pre‑crash behavior.
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