Lamar County, TX — April 22, 2025, Jeremy Berry and Natalie Coco were injured in a car accident at about 9:25 p.m. on U.S. Route 271.
A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2023 Toyota 4Runner was headed south when it crashed into a 2024 Chevrolet C1500 pickup that was disabled in the road.
Toyota driver Jeremy Berry, 46, and passenger Natalie Coco, 45, were seriously injured in the crash just outside Powderly, according to the report.
The Chevrolet driver, who was listed as possibly injured, was charged with driving while intoxicated, the report states.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Lamar County crash.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope those injured are receiving the care they need, and that investigators are preserving all the evidence necessary to understand exactly what happened. A collision involving a moving vehicle and a disabled one is serious under any circumstances, but when intoxication is a factor, the need for a complete and fact-based investigation becomes even more critical. To understand what happened on U.S. Route 271 near Powderly, we need to ask three critical questions.
First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? It’s essential to determine precisely where and how the Chevrolet pickup became disabled in the roadway. Was the truck properly illuminated or using hazard lights? Were any efforts made by the driver to warn oncoming traffic? Investigators should document the lighting conditions, the position of both vehicles and the line of sight for the Toyota driver. A full reconstruction of the crash scene is needed to understand whether the 4Runner had any realistic opportunity to avoid the collision.
Second, has anyone looked into whether a vehicle defect contributed to the Chevrolet becoming disabled in the roadway? Even though the driver is facing charges of driving while intoxicated, it’s still important to examine whether the vehicle experienced a mechanical failure. Did the engine, transmission or brakes fail? Did the truck have a known defect or maintenance issue that contributed to it stalling in a travel lane? Identifying whether a defect played a role is important not only for assigning responsibility but also for understanding whether others might be at similar risk.
Finally, has all the electronic and digital data related to the crash been collected? Both vehicles are equipped with engine control modules that can provide critical insight into how each was operating in the seconds before the crash. For the Toyota, this may show speed, braking and steering input, helping confirm whether the driver had time or room to respond. For the Chevrolet, data may reveal whether the vehicle experienced any system faults just prior to stopping. Surveillance footage or dashcams may also help verify the sequence of events.
Crashes like this demonstrate how quickly a situation can become life-altering when a disabled vehicle is left in the path of traffic. When alcohol impairment is involved, that only deepens the urgency of understanding exactly what happened. Serious injuries occurred, and the only way to ensure accountability, and to prevent future harm, is by asking the right questions and making sure all the facts come to light.
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