El Paso, TX — June 10, 2025, Joshua Ghalayini was killed due to a pedestrian versus car accident at approximately 3:45 a.m. along U.S. Highway 54.

According to authorities, the accident took place in the southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 54 in the vicinity of Ellerthorpe Avenue.

Details surrounding the accident remain scarce. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, Joshua Ghalayini, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was struck by a southbound Kia Forte. Ghalayini reportedly suffered fatal injuries due to the accident and was declared deceased at the scene. Additional information pertaining to this incident is not available a this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a pedestrian is struck and killed on a highway in the early morning hours, the available facts are often limited—but that only makes it more important to ask whether every angle is being explored. These are moments where assumptions should never take the place of answers.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?

The early morning hour of this incident suggests a heightened need for detailed reconstruction. Was the Kia Forte’s path mapped out and matched with any visible tire marks or debris? Did investigators look into what the driver was doing just prior to impact? At 3:45 a.m., visibility, fatigue, and reaction time are all potential factors, but they can only be assessed with careful scene analysis. If the work stopped at simply identifying where the body and vehicle were found, that leaves too many questions on the table.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?

While the driver of the Kia may appear to be the only active party, a mechanical failure could have played a hidden role. A brake malfunction, a steering issue, or even failure of pedestrian detection systems—if the vehicle was equipped with them—could all influence whether the crash was avoidable. Without a mechanical inspection, no one can say for sure whether the car did everything it was supposed to do in the moment it mattered most.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

The Kia Forte likely contains an event data recorder that logs vital pre-crash details like speed, braking, and throttle use. That data can clarify whether the driver reacted appropriately—or at all. In addition, surveillance cameras, traffic monitoring systems, or even toll data could help establish a timeline. If the victim had a mobile device, it could also contain GPS or app data showing movement or attempts to contact someone prior to the incident. These sources are essential, and if they haven't been secured early, they may already be out of reach.

A fatal pedestrian crash in the middle of the night deserves more than just a mention in a report. It deserves a full effort to understand exactly what happened—and why—before that chance is gone for good.

Key Takeaways:

• A complete crash reconstruction is critical, especially for nighttime pedestrian collisions.
• Possible vehicle malfunctions, including braking or detection failures, must be ruled out.
• Data from the vehicle, nearby cameras, and personal devices could provide key insights.