Angelina County, TX — April 24, 2025, Robert Boles was killed following a hit-and-run pickup truck accident at approximately 12:30 a.m. along Farm to Market 842.
According to authorities, 70-year-old Robert Earl Boles was in his home on F.M. 842 in the vicinity south of the Twin Oaks Road intersection when the accident took place.
Officials indicate that a northeast bound Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It reportedly veered off of the roadway and drove through the residence of Mr. Boles. The pickup then fled the scene, reports state, the 40-year-old man inside failing to stop and render aid of any sort to the victim. Boles reportedly suffered fatal injuries due to the accident.
The man who had been behind the wheel of the pickup truck at the time of the wreck was later located and arrested by police, according to reports. Authorities have apparently recommended charges of failure to stop and render aid causing death, no driver license, and failure to drive in a single lane against him. 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 a vehicle veers off the roadway and crashes into a home—killing someone inside—it’s one of the clearest reminders that the consequences of a crash don’t stop at the edge of the road. In this case, Robert Earl Boles lost his life inside the one place he should have been safest. And while authorities have located the driver and recommended charges, that alone doesn’t explain why this happened. In my experience, to truly understand the cause of a crash like this, there are three critical questions that must still be answered.
First, did investigators fully document how and why the pickup truck left the roadway? It’s not enough to know that the Chevrolet Silverado veered into the home—understanding what caused that lane departure is essential. Was the driver impaired, fatigued, or distracted? Were there any roadway hazards, poor lighting, or obstructions that might have contributed? Investigators should be examining physical evidence such as skid marks, yaw patterns, impact points, and any electronic data that could clarify whether the truck was braking, steering, or accelerating in the seconds leading up to the crash.
Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect may have played a role in the lane departure? While driver behavior is the focus of criminal charges, it’s still necessary to determine whether mechanical failure contributed to the incident. If the Silverado experienced a steering malfunction, brake failure, or loss of electronic stability control, the driver may have lost control of the vehicle even before realizing it. A forensic inspection of the pickup—especially since the vehicle has been located—is critical to ruling out or identifying such possibilities.
Finally, has all relevant electronic and digital data been reviewed? The Silverado likely contains an event data recorder that would log important information such as speed, steering angle, throttle input, and braking at the time of the crash. Investigators should also pursue any dashcam or surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses, as well as GPS and phone records that could confirm the truck’s path, speed, and possible distraction in the moments before it left the road. This information can help confirm whether the crash resulted from reckless behavior, equipment failure, or some combination of both.
Answering these three questions is critical to making sure that no stone is left unturned in understanding the causes of a crash like this. Serious wrecks deserve serious investigation, not assumptions. Getting clear answers to these questions is crucial for those seeking to understand what happened and why—and it’s the least that can be done to help those affected find the clarity and closure they deserve.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us