Update (December 29, 2025): The alleged wrong-way driver in this accident has been charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, authorities said. She suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

Update (December 23, 2025): Authorities have identified the adults killed in this accident as Lizbeth Rodriguez Contreras, 27, and Diego Pena Jr., 26. A 5-year-old girl also died in the crash. Investigators believe alcohol played a role in the crash, but that has not been confirmed yet, authorities said.

Fort Bend County, TX — December 20, 2025, three people were killed and a child was injured in a wrong-way car accident at about 2 a.m. on Grand Parkway/State Highway 99.

Authorities said a vehicle was heading south on northbound Grand Parkway when it collided with another vehicle near Richmond.

A woman and a girl in the northbound vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near F.M. 1464, while a man and a 3-year-old child were flown to a local hospital, according to authorities. The man later died from his injuries.

The wrong-way driver was hospitalized with unspecified injuries, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Fort Bend County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

In the aftermath of any devastating highway crash, it's natural to ask how such a catastrophic turn of events could have unfolded, and whether anything might have changed the outcome. These moments call for more than just grief and reaction. They demand a careful look at how the pieces came together, and whether someone overlooked a warning sign, a faulty part or critical data that might explain what really happened.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Wrong-way crashes are particularly alarming, and they often lead investigators to focus quickly on driver error. But the real work begins when officials go deeper than the surface. Did investigators reconstruct the crash with high-detail laser tools? Did they confirm where each vehicle came from, and how long the wrong-way driver had been traveling before the impact? Early morning crashes add layers of complexity — fatigue, impairment or confusion may be involved — but assumptions don’t replace proper analysis. Hopefully, the team assigned to this crash took the time to gather precise scene data and map out the vehicle paths before clearing the roadway.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Most people assume a wrong-way crash must involve human error. But it’s also possible something went wrong inside the vehicle: a steering failure, brake issue or even a faulty GPS giving incorrect directions. If a mechanical failure played a role, it likely wouldn’t be obvious from a quick look at the wreck. That’s why it’s important for investigators to get both vehicles into a secure facility and look for signs of malfunction, especially in systems that control navigation or movement.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? The cars involved may hold the clearest answers. Engine control modules could show whether brakes were applied, how fast each vehicle was moving and whether the driver tried to swerve. Beyond that, phones and navigation devices might explain what the wrong-way driver was trying to do: were they using a map app, making a call or simply distracted? Traffic cameras near the scene could help piece together how far back the wrong-way driving started. Collecting this kind of digital evidence is often the difference between guessing and knowing.

There’s always a rush to understand what went wrong, but the real answers come when the hard questions get asked early and thoroughly. It’s not just about blame. It’s about truth, and making sure future crashes like this one don’t happen the same way again.

Key Takeaways:

• Serious crashes need in-depth investigation beyond just identifying who was going the wrong way.
• A vehicle defect or malfunction could have contributed and needs to be ruled out.
• Electronic data from cars, phones or cameras may hold critical evidence authorities shouldn't overlook.