So I'm curious about what else was in Jason's backpack. Even though his parents weren't aware he was on his way to Missouri City he must have had some change of clothes with him. Long pants? Sweater or hoodie? Shoes other than flipflops? Was there an inventory of the articles in the backpack? Probably not because the trooper seemed unconcerned with its contents after he found the weed. He just left the pack on the road, which I think is freaking egregious. He made the call: driver was male, probably under the influence, who took off to avoid prosecution, and called it a day.
It was a miracle it was still there hours after the accident. However, it does illustrate just how little used the road is which reduces the odds of some other driver with nefarious intentions abducting Jason moments after he crashed. Before the car was hauled to the impound lot did LE ever do a cursory investigation of the scene in terms evidence of braking, length of furrows in the gravel, knocked down grasses, tire tracks other than the Nissan's, the VFF's, and the LE coming from the opposite direction? I would say, no, based on prior actions.
According to a friend (and I don't know if it was the guy recording the video of Jason or one of those he was going to spend time with playing games) said although he was on his way to Missouri City, he had no intention of going to his parents. I don't know if that means he wasn't going, period, even though the Christmas season was in full swing or that he wasn't going until the last possible moment when he had to show up for Christmas.
The retired FBI agent, Pena, has stated he believes other individuals were in the vehicle with Jason. I don't know if there is any evidence of that. When the car crashed did any airbags deploy? I don't see evidence of them deploying even the driver's airbags, although sometimes they are cut away to aid in extricating people from vehicles. That didn't happen here, obviously. Side air bags were an option for that year and make of Altima. Here is a report on the effects of collisions both frontal and side for a vehicle without side air bags.
2003 Nissan Altima 4-door sedan
Another thing I found out about the vehicle is that in August 2020, Nissan sent out a recall for this vehicle because of soldering issues that could cause the vehicle to stall while driving increasing chances of an accident. It would be interesting to know if anyone, either Jason or his father, got a recall notice for the vehicle since it didn't affect all of them.
2003 Nissan Altima 4-door sedan
Going back to the comments that Pena has made regarding his belief that others were in the vehicle with Jason, where is his proof? His reasons are tenuous and probably why it's difficult to get a geofence warrant. Let's say there is DNA evidence that shows others in the vehicle, it doesn't prove anything. Jason's friends could have their fingerprints all over the vehicle, as well as his father and siblings. Unknown fingerprints or DNA could just mean there are others who were in the vehicle, not when they were in there. Like the people who run the impound lot or the guy who towed the vehicle. Are tow trucks driver's regularly asked to provide fingerprints or DNA to eliminate them as suspects in a disappearance of a vehicle they towed?
I can't imagine have a child disappear into the ether without rhyme or reason. Actually, once when my daughter was quite young we thought she had gone missing. The cops were called, I gave them her description but couldn't remember what she wore that day and it broke me. The neighbourhood was canvassed with people congregating in front of our house. It was the worst possible day of my life which still affects me when I think about it. But we were lucky, she showed up upset and embarrassed to be the subject of attention because I had forgotten about an event she attended. All parents should be as lucky as me.
I am still torn as to the circumstance that led up to Jason's disappearance. As a parent I would much rather think of him off doing his own thing, even though I may not approve, than think of him succumbing to the elements and his body eaten by wild hogs and his bones scattered.
. Sigh.
