Buna, TX — January 12, 2026, Dustin Spears lost his life due to a car accident just before 4:45 a.m. along State Highway 62.

According to authorities, 43-year-old Dustin Spears was traveling in a southbound Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck on S.H. 62 near the C.R. 784 intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a southbound Chevrolet C1500 pickup truck attempted to pass the Dodge in a no-passing zone. The Chevrolet purportedly veered to the right as it was passing due to an oncoming Nissan Maxima in the northbound lane. A sideswipe collision consequently occurred between the back-left quarter of the Dodge and the right-back quarter of the Chevrolet. The impact caused the Dodge to veer off of the roadway and into a ditch, colliding with several trees before coming to a stop.

Spears—who had reportedly sustained fatal injuries over the course of the accident—was declared deceased at the scene. It does not appear that anyone else involved was hurt.

Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. the investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

In the aftermath of a fatal crash, early explanations can feel complete even when they are not. What truly matters is whether investigators looked past the obvious sequence of events to understand every factor that may have contributed.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
When a collision leads to a vehicle leaving the roadway, the investigation should not stop at describing how it happened. A careful review should include detailed measurements, documentation of vehicle paths, and a close look at driver behavior in the moments before contact. That kind of analysis takes time and specialized skill. Not every officer has the same level of training in complex crash reconstruction, so it is fair to ask whether enough resources and expertise were devoted to fully examining how and why control was lost.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
Even when a maneuver appears to explain a collision, mechanical issues can still play a role. Steering problems, brake failures, or suspension issues can cause a vehicle to drift or respond unpredictably under pressure. These defects are not always visible after a crash and can easily be overlooked unless the vehicles are carefully inspected. Ruling out mechanical failure is a necessary step, especially when a vehicle suddenly veers off course.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Electronic data can provide clarity that physical damage alone cannot. Vehicle systems may record speed, throttle input, braking, and sudden changes just before impact. Phone data, GPS information, and any available camera footage can also help confirm timing and driver actions. If this information is not preserved early, it can disappear, leaving critical questions unanswered.

When a life is lost, assumptions are not enough. The truth depends on whether investigators asked the harder questions and used every available tool to answer them.

Key takeaways:

• Fatal crashes require detailed, skilled investigation.
• Mechanical problems can affect vehicle control at critical moments.
• Electronic data can reveal what happened when details are limited.