Valerie Uvalle, Treon Marquise Injured in Crash on US-290 in Waller County, TX
Waller County, TX — April 25, 2022, Valerie Uvalle, Treon Marquise, and a teenager were injured in a crash on U.S. Highway 290 Business in Waller County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 3:35 p.m. on Business 290 at FM 359. Preliminary investigation suggests Uvalle was driving a BMW 135i sedan west on the highway and approached the FM 359 intersection as Marquise's eastbound Toyota Avalon approached the crossroads on the other side.
According to reports Uvalle may have been traveling too fast for the rainy conditions and wet roads. As she approached FM 359 she hydroplaned; the BMW side-skidded through the intersection and crashed into the Toyota.
Uvalle, Marquise, and a 16-year-old passenger in the Toyota all suffered serious injuries in the collision.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Valerie Uvalle, Treon Marquise Accident in Waller County
People may read the preliminary details of this crash and think there's little else to say. If someone hydroplaned while allegedly speeding, that may be enough for some to think fault is clear. However, long experience in this field has taught me that police impressions after a once-over at the scene can't be taken as gospel truth without further careful investigation.
Simply blaming someone out of the gate for a crash is irresponsible when so many other potential factors could be involved. For instance, a quick glance at the recall history of the BMW 135i shows it has known issues with battery cables and engine timing bolts, either of which could easily make the car stall out or lose control. What police assumed was a speed-related hydroplane could in reality be something else entirely, but if they quickly settled on an explanation they may have little interest in looking closer.
I don't know any more than the little reports can tell us, but the years have shown me time and again that deciding what happened from incomplete data is never a good idea. The best thing right now is to withhold judgment and focus on how to help all the crash's injured victims. Time and further careful investigation will show whether there are other steps to take.
