Wood County, TX — January 20, 2025, Michael Autry was injured in a car accident at about 5:10 p.m. on F.M. 1799 south of Golden.
Authorities said a 2020 GMC Terrain overturned after it crashed into a trailer being hauled by the 2017 Dodge Ram 1500.
GMC driver Michael Autry, 65, suffered suspected serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities.
The driver of the Dodge was cited for a safety train violation, authorities said.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Wood County crash at this time. The accident is still being investigated.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Whenever a serious crash like this occurs, it’s important to take a step back and make sure all the right questions are being asked. While initial reports provide a general idea of what happened, they often leave out critical details that could explain why the crash occurred in the first place. That’s why it’s essential to focus on three key questions to ensure a thorough investigation.
The first question is whether authorities conducted a detailed investigation. Law enforcement agencies do their best, but their resources, training and time constraints can impact how deeply they examine a crash. Reports indicate that a GMC Terrain overturned after colliding with a trailer being hauled by a Dodge Ram, but that alone doesn’t explain what led to the crash. Was the trailer properly secured? Did it have functioning lights and reflectors? Was visibility or road design a factor? Did authorities gather witness statements, inspect the trailer and check for any nearby surveillance footage? A full investigation should go beyond the surface details and explore all possible contributing factors.
The next question is whether anyone has considered the possibility of a vehicle defect. While authorities cited the Dodge driver for a safety chain violation, mechanical issues — such as brake failure, trailer hitch malfunctions or stability control problems — could also play a role in a crash like this. The GMC Terrain, being a relatively modern vehicle, should be examined to ensure that no electronic or mechanical failures contributed to its loss of control. Likewise, the Dodge and its trailer should be inspected to determine if any equipment failures factored into the crash. Preserving both vehicles for forensic examination is crucial before they are repaired or scrapped.
The third question is whether all available electronic data has been collected. Modern vehicles store crucial crash-related information in their engine control modules (ECMs), which can reveal speed, braking and steering input before impact. Additionally, given that this crash involved a trailer, authorities should determine whether it was equipped with any tracking or monitoring systems that could provide further insight. If nearby businesses or traffic cameras captured the crash, that footage could also be valuable. Securing this data quickly is essential, as electronic evidence can be lost or overwritten over time.
At the end of the day, crashes like this have lasting consequences for those involved. The least the community owes those affected is a complete and accurate understanding of what happened. That can only happen if all the right questions are asked and every piece of evidence is carefully examined.
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