Clark County, NV — March 16, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 2:00 P.M. near Lee Canyon Rd.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person dead during the afternoon hours of March 16th. According to official reports, Joshua Gilbert-Amado Hernandez was traveling in a Jeep Wrangler in the Mount Charleston recreation area near Lee Canyon Road, and was attempting to pass a GMC pickup truck in front of him. As Hernandez was attempting to pass, the GMC reportedly also began to pass a vehicle, resulting in the pickup pulling in front of the Jeep, causing it to take evasive action which ultimately caused it to lose control and roll over, and the GMC fled the scene.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Hernandez had been ejected from the vehicle and fatal injuries and he was pronounced deceased. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, any updated information regarding the driver of the pickup, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash results in a fatality, especially one that involves a reported hit-and-run scenario, the immediate focus often shifts to the vehicle that left the scene. But even when another driver’s actions appear to have contributed, it's critical not to overlook the key elements that must be evaluated in every serious crash. Regardless of who was involved or how the crash unfolded, there are three essential questions that must always be answered: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? And has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

To start, it’s important to understand whether a comprehensive investigation has been conducted. According to reports, the Jeep Wrangler was attempting to pass another vehicle when a GMC pickup also initiated a pass, pulling in front of the Jeep and forcing it into an evasive maneuver that led to a rollover. That sequence raises several questions. Was the crash reconstructed by trained specialists? Were the skid marks, debris patterns, or roadway conditions documented? Were there any witnesses, traffic cameras, or nearby businesses with surveillance footage? In rural or mountainous areas like Mount Charleston, crash investigations can be especially challenging, and the depth of the investigation may vary depending on the agency and available resources.

The second question—whether a mechanical or design defect contributed to the crash—is especially relevant in rollover incidents. The Jeep Wrangler, in particular, has a known history of stability concerns, particularly when it comes to sudden swerving or evasive maneuvers. If the vehicle rolled over due to a shift in weight or a suspension issue, that’s something that needs to be closely examined. Rollover resistance, the performance of the electronic stability control system, and the vehicle’s structural integrity during a rollover can all factor into the outcome. These questions can’t be answered without preserving the vehicle and having it examined by experts with experience in vehicle defect analysis.

Lastly, the collection of electronic data is vital to filling in the gaps left by incomplete witness accounts or missing surveillance. The Jeep’s electronic control module (ECM) likely contains valuable data on speed, steering input, and brake usage in the moments before the crash. This can help determine whether the driver attempted to correct or avoid the GMC, how the vehicle responded, and whether the rollover was a result of the maneuver or a deeper mechanical failure. In addition, data from nearby cell towers or phones might help identify the fleeing pickup truck, and any available dashcam footage from other vehicles in the area could provide a visual record.

The reported involvement of a second vehicle that fled the scene adds complexity to this investigation, but that doesn't reduce the need to answer these three fundamental questions. Doing so isn't just about identifying every contributing factor—it’s about ensuring that nothing critical is missed, whether it's a mechanical issue, a flaw in the vehicle’s design, or data that could provide a clearer picture of what actually happened. Only by thoroughly examining each of these areas can we move toward a full and accurate understanding of the crash.