China Grove, TX — September 23, 2024, 69-year-old Julia Holt was injured in a single-vehicle accident on FM 1516 in Bexar County.
According to authorities, the incident happened around 11:00 a.m. in a parking lot by Farm to Market Road 1516, near the border of China Grove. Investigators say Julia Holt was driving a Chevy Suburban to a local mechanic to address alleged problems with its gear shifter. In the parking lot of the business, she reportedly put the vehicle in park and climbed out but the Suburban rolled forward anyway.
Holt tried to get back in the Chevy’s open driver door to engage the parking brake, but fell onto her back and was run over by the vehicle’s rear wheels. The Suburban continued forward at low speed until it hit the side of the mechanic’s building.
Julia Holt suffered serious injuries after being run over by the Suburban. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
I’m not much of a gearhead, but the described issue sounds to me like a problem with the Suburban’s transmission. That more or less clicks with the reported “gear shifter” problems that sent the victim to the mechanic, but whether or not I’m right about the symptom that still doesn’t really explain the disease. What made the SUV malfunction in the first place? Was it simple age, or wear and tear from frequent driving? Had the transmission been serviced before? If so, how long ago? Could the Suburban have defective components that quit before they should have? How long was the problem happening? Did it get worse over time, or did it just suddenly start one day?
Clearly those questions and others about the vehicle aren’t as important as making sure the injured victim gets the medical attention she needs, and I wish her a swift and full recovery. I’m just worried about the vehicle because it’s possible that someone should be held responsible for its failure to remain in park. If the transmission was just worn out from hard use that might be one thing, but if it should have had plenty of life left then someone should look more carefully at why it malfunctioned. If an automaker’s negligence led to the victim being hurt by a runaway vehicle, then that manufacturer may owe her far more than an apology.
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