On the morning of July 17, 2025, a fatal crash in Leon County claimed the lives of two Bryan men after their vehicle collided with a semi-truck. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the incident occurred around 5:58 a.m. at the intersection of FM 39 and County Road 344. Authorities report that a 1999 Peterbilt tractor-trailer was traveling north on FM 39 and was allegedly attempting a turn onto CR 344 when a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, also traveling northbound, reportedly struck the trailer and became lodged underneath. The driver of the Santa Fe, 44-year-old Matthew Sovick, and passenger, 49-year-old Christopher Gorman, were both pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
When a vehicle ends up wedged beneath the trailer of a turning semi-truck, I often have questions about the following vehicle. Underride collisions are sometimes a result of mechanical defects that make a vehicle uncontrollable.
Could a Product Defect in the SUV Have Played a Role?
Given the severity of this collision, investigators should consider whether the mechanical systems of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe were working properly. In particular, the SUV’s automatic emergency braking performance should be examined. If a vehicle as new as a 2025 model failed to stop in time, it raises questions about whether there was an issue with the vehicle itself.
What Types of Evidence Should Be Examined?
To better understand how this crash occurred, investigators should review the Santa Fe’s Engine Control Module (ECM) data to determine the vehicle’s speed and braking actions in the moments leading up to impact. They should also examine the Santa Fe’s overall mechanical condition to see if any components failed.
Why a Thorough Investigation Matters
When a crash results in a fatality, it’s essential that every factor is scrutinized. In this case, that includes not just driver behavior, but the mechanical systems of the vehicles involved. Thorough investigations help identify whether failures in equipment or design contributed to the crash, and they ensure that those affected receive clear answers about what happened and why.