Three people were injured in two crashes that occurred close together near 34th and I-27 in Lubbock, Texas, at about 10:40 p.m. Thursday, according to KCBD. Police were called after an SUV driven by 21-year-old Kelis Hardeman collided with a car driven by 24-year-old Cade Wells while traveling south on I-27. The report states that 56-year-old Ryan Patrick stopped to assist after the first crash. A separate vehicle then collided with the vehicles belonging to Wells and Hardeman and hit Patrick. Police said that driver left the area, and the vehicle had not been located. Patrick was transported to Covenant Medical Center with serious injuries. Hardeman and Wells were taken to UMC with minor injuries. Police said both crashes remain under investigation. What Makes This Incident Different This report involves more than an initial collision. It describes a second crash occurring after the first two vehicles had come to rest and after Patrick had stopped to help. That sequence can make it especially important to distinguish the events, positions, and available information connected to each crash. The report also says the driver of the vehicle involved in the later collision left the scene and had not been located. An unidentified driver can create immediate practical concerns for injured people, including identifying available insurance coverage and preserving information before it is lost. The evidence—not assumptions—will determine what occurred and whether any person or entity may bear legal responsibility. Questions Investigators May Examine Authorities may examine how the first collision occurred between Hardeman's SUV and Wells' car while they were traveling south on I-27. They may also examine where the vehicles were located when the later vehicle approached and whether the second impact occurred as described in the report. Investigators may seek to clarify the path of the vehicle that left the area, whether witnesses saw it before or after the impact, and whether recordings or physical evidence may help identify it. Records may also help clarify the timing between the two crashes and the circumstances under which Patrick was struck after stopping to assist. These are investigation questions, not conclusions about fault. Evidence That May Need to Be Preserved For a two-crash event involving a driver who reportedly left the scene, prompt preservation can matter. Depending on what is available, useful materials may include: - Police dispatch, incident, and investigative records concerning both crashes. - Photographs or video of the vehicles, roadway area, debris, and vehicle resting positions. - Video that may have captured traffic near 34th and I-27 or the later vehicle's direction of travel. - Names and contact information for people who witnessed either crash or stopped after them. - Vehicle-damage inspections, repair estimates, and photographs taken before repairs or disposal. - Medical records and billing documents related to treatment for the reported injuries. - Insurance communications, including notices regarding uninsured- or underinsured-motorist coverage that may apply. People coping with injuries should avoid assuming that an unidentified driver means there are no options. A careful review of the facts, policy language, and available evidence may be necessary. What Families Should Know Texas injury claims often involve deadlines, and the applicable deadline can depend on the claim and circumstances. In many Texas personal-injury cases, a two-year limitations period applies, but exceptions can affect how a deadline is calculated. Waiting can also make it harder to obtain surveillance footage, locate witnesses, and document vehicle damage. An injured person may face medical bills, time away from work, and insurance questions even before the investigation is complete. Families can keep copies of medical paperwork, receipts, claim correspondence, and photographs, while allowing treating providers to focus on care. They should be cautious about giving recorded statements or accepting a settlement before they understand the full extent of the injuries and the available coverage. Because this report identifies serious injuries to Patrick and minor injuries to Hardeman and Wells, each person's circumstances may be different. General information cannot determine any individual's rights or the outcome of a claim. How Dunk Law Can Help Dunk Law represents people injured in Texas vehicle collisions, including crashes involving multiple impacts and a driver who reportedly leaves the scene. Our team can review the available facts, help identify and preserve relevant evidence, communicate with insurers, and explain how Texas claim deadlines may apply. For families affected by the reported I-27 crashes in Lubbock, Dunk Law can provide a focused, confidential evaluation of the injury-related legal issues while the investigation continues. Related Dunk Law Resources - Car accident claims - Catastrophic injury claims - Wrongful death claims This post is based on publicly available news reports and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice.