Deanville, TX — June 15, 2025, Nola Rathjen and two others were injured due to a car accident just after 7:45 p.m. along Farm to Market 60.
According to authorities, two people—61-year-old Nola Rathjen and a 67-year-old man—were traveling in a northbound Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck on F.M. 60 in the vicinity southeast of Deanville when the accident took place.
Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, a southbound Ford F-150 occupied by a 43-year-old man from Somerville failed to appropriately control its speed. It was consequently involved in a collision with the Dodge Ram.
Rathjen, the man who was with her in the Ram, and the man from the Ford sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When two heavy-duty pickup trucks collide and everyone involved ends up seriously hurt, it’s clear that more than just a moment of inattention may be at play. These types of crashes are rarely as simple as someone “failing to control speed”—and deserve deeper scrutiny to understand why things went so wrong.
1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
A high-impact collision involving full-sized trucks demands a full reconstruction of the crash scene. Did officers document vehicle positions, points of impact, and distances traveled post-collision? Were speed estimates based on data or just visual impressions? And just as importantly, did investigators look for roadside surveillance or dashcam footage to verify what happened? These questions can’t be left unanswered, especially when everyone involved left the scene with serious injuries.
2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
If a driver failed to manage their speed, it’s fair to ask—did the vehicle allow them to? Was there a problem with the braking system, tires, or throttle control? Could the Ford F-150 have had a malfunction that kept it from slowing down in time? Large trucks like these carry more momentum, so even a minor mechanical failure can have serious consequences. A complete inspection of both vehicles is critical before any assumptions are made about fault.
3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
These trucks are likely equipped with systems that record speed, braking force, steering input, and crash severity. If that data is collected properly, it can show whether the driver of the Ford even attempted to slow down—or whether he couldn’t. It can also reveal how the Dodge Ram reacted and whether its occupants had time to respond. And if distraction is a concern, checking for phone use or navigation system activity could be key. Without that data, critical moments leading up to the crash could remain hidden.
When everyone ends up in the hospital, the stakes for getting it right couldn’t be higher. That’s why it’s not enough to stop at who hit whom—what matters is why, and whether it could have been prevented.
Takeaways:
- High-impact truck crashes require full reconstruction and physical scene analysis.
- Brake, throttle, or tire issues must be ruled out with a professional vehicle inspection.
- Electronic data from both vehicles can confirm driver reaction—or reveal a lack of it.
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