Cameron County, TX — November 20, 2025, Leticia Barcenas and another person were injured in a car accident at about 12:50 a.m. on F.M. 509.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a southbound 2013 Nissan Altima and a northbound 2017 Kia Forte collided near Ohio Station Road.

Kia driver Leticia Zavala Barcenas, 50, and a 56-year-old man riding with her were seriously injured in the crash near Harlingen, according to the report.

The Nissan driver, who was suffered serious injuries, was charged with failing to drive in a single lane, the report states.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

In the quiet hours when most are home and safe, a serious crash can feel especially jarring. It reminds us how quickly routine travel can turn into something far more devastating. When serious injuries result, it’s natural to want clear answers; not just about what happened, but why.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? The report mentions a traffic charge against one driver, suggesting someone made a determination about fault early on. But a meaningful investigation needs to go deeper than a lane violation. Did investigators analyze pre-impact vehicle paths or document the scene using laser measurements? Were they trained to assess more than surface-level factors? Without those steps, any conclusions drawn may miss crucial pieces of the puzzle.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? At this hour of the night, when visibility and alertness can vary, it's easy to overlook what might have gone wrong mechanically. If either car suffered a steering issue, brake failure or sensor malfunction, the entire trajectory of the crash could change. Mechanical inspections are critical, especially when serious injuries are involved, but often skipped when human error seems obvious.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Both cars involved were newer models, likely equipped with electronic control modules that record how fast the cars were going, whether brakes were applied and other key actions before the crash. Was any of that information pulled? Were cell phone records or traffic camera footage reviewed? These data points can help confirm what happened in the seconds leading up to impact, and just as importantly, what didn’t happen.

There’s a real difference between knowing how something happened and understanding why. Digging deeper into these questions isn’t just about assigning blame; it’s about getting the full picture. Only then can real accountability follow.

Key Takeaways:

• Just citing a lane violation doesn’t mean the investigation was thorough.
• Mechanical failures should be ruled out through proper inspections.
• Vehicle and phone data can reveal what really happened before the crash.