Madison County, MS — January 17, 2026, Joey Quarles was killed in a car accident at about 8:10 p.m. on U.S. Highway 49 south of Flora.

Authorities said a 2007 Toyota Camry lost control while heading north near Petrified Forest Road. It collided with a northbound 2020 Honda CR-V before crashing into a tree.

Toyota driver Joey Quarles, 41, of Brookhaven died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The three people in the Honda were not injured, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Madison County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a serious crash, it’s natural to wonder not just what happened, but whether everything that should have been done to understand it actually was. A wreck that ends with someone losing their life raises deeper questions; ones that deserve answers, not assumptions.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? When someone loses control and strikes both another car and a tree, it's crucial that investigators dig deeper than surface-level assessments. That includes mapping the scene with precision tools, reconstructing the sequence of impacts and reviewing the driver’s behavior in the moments leading up to the crash. The troubling reality is that while some crash teams have advanced training and equipment, others may only document what’s immediately visible. If that’s all that happened here, important context about how and why this loss occurred may have been missed.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? It’s easy to assume a driver simply “lost control,” but sometimes the car itself is the problem. Especially with older vehicles, mechanical issues like brake failure, steering malfunction or a stuck accelerator could be factors. Without a detailed inspection of the Toyota, those possibilities remain unexplored. When a crash seems sudden or unexpected, checking the vehicle’s systems isn’t optional; it’s necessary.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Even in older models, there may be useful data from the vehicle’s internal systems. Newer vehicles, like the Honda involved, often have detailed electronic logs that can show speed, braking or steering input. If phones or GPS devices were in use, those might offer a clearer picture of what unfolded. And nearby traffic cameras, if present, could hold key footage. Gathering this data helps build a clearer timeline and removes guesswork from serious crash investigations.

These are the kinds of questions that don’t always get asked, but they should be. The full story of what happened, and why, matters. Not just for closure, but because every missed clue risks overlooking something that could prevent the next tragedy.

Key Takeaways:

• Investigators may not always have the tools or time to fully reconstruct complex crashes.
• Mechanical failure in older vehicles should never be ruled out without inspection.
• Electronic data from vehicles and devices can reveal the truth behind sudden crashes.