Belton, TX — July 18, 2025, Steven McDermott and another person were injured in a motorcycle accident at about 12:15 a.m. in the 4000 block of Toll Bridge Road.
A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2020 Kawasaki ZX1000 motorcycle crashed while heading north toward the service road for Interstate 35.
Motorcyclist Steven McDermott, 38, and the 26-year-old woman riding with him were seriously injured in the crash, the report states. The passenger’s name has not been made public yet.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Bell County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
After a serious motorcycle crash, there’s always an uneasy sense that something important might be missed. These incidents happen fast, often in the dark, and the evidence doesn’t always speak for itself. When two people are badly hurt, it’s essential to ask the kinds of questions that can bring clarity; not just for accountability, but to understand what truly happened.
Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? It’s unclear whether investigators took steps beyond the basics here. Motorcycle crashes often leave behind minimal physical evidence, so advanced methods like crash reconstruction, vehicle path mapping and a detailed review of driver behavior are crucial. It matters whether the responding team had the training and time to dig deep, especially on a road with late-night traffic and low visibility. Some departments have skilled crash units; others may not. When those skills are missing, key details about speed, trajectory or contributing behavior can slip through the cracks.
Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? With motorcycles, even a small malfunction — like a locked brake, faulty throttle response or steering issue — can have devastating consequences. There’s no mention of whether this particular bike was inspected for defects. That kind of review usually doesn’t happen unless someone pushes for it. A 2020 model isn’t old, but defects don’t always wait for mileage to build up. Mechanical failure has to stay on the table until it’s ruled out with certainty.
Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Motorcycles don’t typically have the same black box data as cars, but there are still digital clues worth pursuing. Smartphones, GPS units or helmet cams, if present, could show speed, direction or even distraction. And depending on the location, traffic or business surveillance footage might fill in the gaps. If none of that has been reviewed, then parts of the story remain missing.
In serious crashes like this one, it’s not enough to accept the first layer of facts. Getting answers takes work, and too often the right questions never get asked. When lives are on the line, that’s not good enough.
Key Takeaways:
- Not all crash teams have the tools or training to investigate motorcycle wrecks fully.
- Even new motorcycles can have defects that go unnoticed unless someone inspects the machine.
- Digital evidence from phones, GPS or cameras can provide missing context, if someone looks for it.
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