Early Sunday morning, a fatal crash occurred on US 75 near Bethany Drive in Allen, Texas. According to police, 52-year-old Rodolfo Rodriguez Sr. was driving a white Chevrolet Malibu southbound when the vehicle drifted out of its lane for unknown reasons and collided with a parked 18-wheeler that was stopped on the shoulder with hazard lights activated. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, and a passenger in the Malibu was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation.
Whenever a collision like this results in a fatality, it’s important to consider not only driver behavior, but whether a mechanical failure or defect contributed to the crash.
Could a Defect in the Chevrolet Have Played a Role?
In some cases, vehicle defects, such as sudden loss of steering control, brake failure, or electronic malfunction, can cause a driver to veer unexpectedly or fail to stop in time. Investigators will likely examine whether the Malibu's braking system, steering components, or electronic safety systems were functioning properly before the impact. If any malfunction occurred, the vehicle manufacturer or a component supplier could potentially bear responsibility.
Key Evidence That Should Be Reviewed
To determine what led to this crash, it’s important to examine onboard vehicle data from the Chevrolet’s Engine Control Module (ECM), which may provide information about speed, braking, steering input, and system alerts in the moments before the collision. Investigators should also inspect the mechanical condition of the Malibu, especially its tires, brakes, and alignment. In addition, the position and visibility of the parked semi-truck, as well as any possible obstructions on the roadway, should be evaluated.
Why Getting the Full Picture Requires Investigation
Even when a vehicle appears to have left its lane without warning, it’s not always safe to assume driver error was the sole cause. A thorough investigation helps rule out or confirm mechanical issues and can help determine exactly what went wrong.