Young County, TX — November 16, 2024, Jody Rymel died and two people were injured in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 380 in Young County.
According to authorities, the incident happened around 5:45 p.m. on U.S. 380 near Newcastle. Preliminary investigation suggests that 47-year-old Jeffy Bartholomae was driving a Mercedes vehicle east on the highway when she allegedly failed to maintain a single lane. The Mercedes crossed over the center line and collided head-on with Rymel’s westbound Mazda 3.
Jody Rymel was critically injured in the crash. She was transported to a Fort Worth hospital where she was pronounced dead. A teen passenger in the Mazda was taken to another hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. Jeffy Bartholomae received non-incapacitating injuries and was taken to a Fort Worth hospital.
The investigation is ongoing. No further information is currently available.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
First, I’ll say what I always do: The best thing to do is wait for the facts before drawing any conclusions. It may be tempting to see a crossover accident like this and quickly point fingers at the person who drove the wrong way, but investigators had no theories about the accident’s cause and it’s nobody’s place to speculate.
Am I saying the eastbound driver didn’t cross left of center? I have no particular reason to doubt police findings, so no. However, I believe it’s worth finding out if factors beyond her control could have influenced events. What were weather and road conditions like in the area? Was there other traffic? Was the crossover driver in good health? Were both vehicles in good working order, or could one or both have been defective or malfunctioning? Did the safety features in both vehicles (seat belts, air bags, brakes) work properly after the impact? Will anyone collect electronic data from vehicles, cameras, and phones to see what insights they provide?
I don’t know anything more than preliminary reports tell, and I’m not trying to overcomplicate things. I just know from long experience that things aren’t always what they seem, and in situations like this it can only be good to have as much clear evidence as possible. This accident cost someone her life, and I suspect that left her loved ones with an urgent need for answers. Will someone make sure they get them?
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