Bethlehem, NH — April 8, 2025, Thomas Oakes was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 6:15 P.M. on I-93.
Authorities are investigating after a car accident left one person dead on the evening of April 8th. According to official statements, a vehicle operated by Thomas Oakes was traveling on I-95 in the southbound lanes when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control, causing the vehicle to go leave the roadway where it crashed several times.
When emergency personnel arrived on the scene they found that Oakes had been fatally injured and he was pronounced deceased. At this time it is unclear what caused the vehicle to lose control, and so far investigators are still piecing together all the details from the crash, however this remains an ongoing investigation, and additional information may be released by officials at a later date.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
This kind of incident raises three essential questions that any thorough investigation should answer: (1) Did the authorities conduct a detailed and complete investigation? (2) Has anyone looked into whether a defect in the vehicle may have played a role? (3) Has all the electronic data from the vehicle been preserved and analyzed?
Whenever a vehicle leaves the roadway and crashes, it’s easy to assume driver error, but there are often additional layers that need to be examined. Investigators should begin by analyzing the condition of the road—was the surface wet, uneven, or poorly maintained? Were lane markings visible? Was there debris or an obstruction that might have prompted a sudden reaction? These are the kinds of details that can significantly influence a driver’s ability to maintain control, especially at highway speeds.
Beyond the roadway, it’s important to consider the vehicle itself. Mechanical failures don’t always leave obvious signs, but they can have devastating consequences. A sudden issue with the steering system, braking components, or even the tires can cause a driver to lose control with little or no warning. For that reason, a complete mechanical inspection should be part of any serious crash investigation. It’s also worth looking into whether the vehicle had any open recalls or if it was subject to a known design issue.
Modern vehicles also carry an important source of truth: their electronic control modules or ECM. These systems often record a snapshot of the vehicle’s behavior in the moments before a crash—capturing speed, throttle input, braking, steering angle, and more. That data can tell us whether the driver attempted to correct the vehicle’s path, and whether the vehicle responded appropriately. If a system failed to engage, or engaged too late, that’s something investigators need to know. But this data is time-sensitive. If it’s not collected quickly and correctly, it can be lost or overwritten.
Until these three areas—roadway conditions, vehicle integrity, and electronic data—are fully examined, the cause of the crash remains incomplete. It’s not just about answering what happened; it’s about making sure no contributing factor is overlooked. Only then can we fully understand the event and take informed steps to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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