Bastrop County, TX — July 20, 2024, Frances Rodgers and another person were killed due to a car accident shortly after 12:00 noon along Farm to Market 20.
According to authorities, 87-year-old Frances Rodgers was traveling in a southbound Ford Ecosport on F.M. 20 in the vicinity north of the Shiloh Road intersection when the accident took place.
Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a northbound Kia Soul occupied by a 67-year-old man attempted a left turn at an apparently unsafe time, failing to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. A T-bone collision consequently occurred between the front-end of the Ford and the right side of the Kia. Both Rodgers and the man from the Soul reportedly suffered fatal injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Crashes involving left-turn maneuvers often lead to the assumption that one party simply misjudged the gap. But when two people lose their lives, it’s critical to ask whether the evidence ever confirmed the full story—or just supported a surface-level conclusion.
1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
A fatal collision at a rural intersection should have prompted a full-scale scene analysis. Did investigators determine vehicle speeds, positions, and timing at the point of impact? Were measurements taken to assess whether the left-turning vehicle began its maneuver with a reasonable gap, or if something caused an unexpected closing of distance? These aren’t details that can be assumed—they require proper documentation, and if those steps were skipped, any conclusions drawn may still be incomplete.
2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
If the Kia Soul failed to yield, it’s worth considering whether it was a conscious decision or the result of a mechanical or electronic failure. A delay in throttle response, brake hesitation, or steering issue could all lead to a late or unresponsive turn. Likewise, if the Ford’s braking system or forward-collision warning failed, that could have affected its ability to respond in time. If neither vehicle was inspected closely, those factors may have been left entirely unexamined.
3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Both vehicles likely held valuable event data—speed, brake pressure, throttle input, and steering angles. That information could help clarify when the Kia began its turn, whether the Ford attempted to swerve or brake, and how much time either driver had to react. If the data was recovered and reviewed, it could offer insights that go well beyond the visible damage. If not, the most objective part of the record may still be missing.
When a crash takes two lives, the reasons behind it shouldn’t be assumed—they should be known. And the only way to get there is by looking at more than just who turned and who didn’t.
Takeaways:
- Fatal left-turn crashes require detailed timing and speed analysis, not just assumptions about fault.
- Mechanical or electronic failures could have played a role in either vehicle’s actions.
- Onboard data may clarify whether evasive actions were taken and how much time each driver had to respond.
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