Deepthi Vangavolu, 1 Injured in Car Accident in Denton, TX

Denton, TX — April 12, 2025, Deepthi Vangavolu was injured in the wake of a car accident that occurred at around 2:12 A.M. on Carrol Al Lago Dr.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left two people injured during the early morning hours of April 12th. According to official reports, Deepthi Vangavolu was traveling on foot with a friend in the 2300 block of Carrol Al Lago Drive when they were struck by a vehicle which then fled the scene.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Vangavolu had sustained critical injuries while her friend , whose identity has not been released, sustained injuries of an unknown degree. They were both transported to the hospital for treatment where according reports from officials suggest that Vangavolu remains in critical condition. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including any update on the investigation into the vehicle that struck them, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a pedestrian is critically injured in a hit-and-run incident, the first and most pressing concern is ensuring that every effort is made to uncover exactly what happened. In cases like this one, where two individuals were struck by a vehicle that fled the scene, it’s essential that the investigation goes beyond surface-level facts. To get the full picture, we must ask three critical questions: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect might have contributed? And has all the available electronic evidence been collected?

The first question focuses on the depth of the initial investigation. In hit-and-run cases, it’s not enough to just document the scene. Investigators need to collect forensic evidence from the roadway, canvass the area for witnesses, and check for any surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses. The presence of two victims should elevate the urgency of gathering all possible information. But depending on the time of day, the resources available, and the experience of the investigating team, important steps can be missed. In a residential area during early morning hours, there’s a higher chance that security cameras or doorbell video captured something useful. If that footage isn’t identified and secured promptly, it may be lost forever.

The second question—whether a vehicle defect could have played a role—is often overlooked in pedestrian incidents, especially hit-and-runs. People tend to assume the driver simply fled out of fear or guilt. But there are other possibilities worth considering. For example, if the vehicle’s lighting system malfunctioned or if there were braking issues that made it difficult to avoid the collision, those issues could complicate the understanding of what really happened. These scenarios may seem unlikely, but they’re not impossible—and they often go unexplored simply because the vehicle isn’t located quickly or isn’t preserved for examination. Even in a hit-and-run, it’s important to ask: was the vehicle operating as intended?

Lastly, it’s critical to determine whether all relevant electronic evidence has been collected. In a case like this, that means more than just examining a vehicle’s electronic control module—especially if the vehicle hasn’t been found yet. Investigators should be seeking out nearby surveillance footage, traffic camera data, and any cell phone information that might help track the vehicle’s movements before and after the crash. If the victims had their own devices on them, those too could offer valuable data about their position, movement, or environment at the time of the incident. Each piece of digital evidence adds clarity to a case that otherwise may remain unresolved.

When a crash like this happens—especially one involving a fleeing driver—it leaves a community with many unanswered questions. But those questions won’t answer themselves. It’s essential that we demand a thorough investigation, an open mind to all contributing factors, and a commitment to securing every piece of available evidence. That’s how we begin to make sense of what happened—and more importantly, how we ensure accountability for those affected.