Alamo Heights, TX — September 8, 2025, Marissa Montalvo was injured in a car accident at about 1:10 a.m. in the 6000 block of Broadway Street.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2015 Toyota RAV4 was heading south when it crashed into a tree and a solar-powered light.

Driver Marissa Montalvo, 23, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

In the early hours of the morning, when roads are mostly quiet and visibility can challenge even experienced drivers, serious crashes can raise hard questions. It's natural to wonder not just what happened, but whether everything that should have been done to understand the crash has been carried out.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A single-vehicle crash on a city street at night demands a close look at more than just the impact point. It's unclear if investigators conducted a full reconstruction, one that includes things like vehicle trajectory mapping or a review of the driver’s actions leading up to the crash. Without that, critical context can be lost. In cases like this, the quality of the initial scene work makes all the difference, especially if the investigating officers weren’t trained in advanced crash analysis.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Any time a vehicle leaves its path and strikes a fixed object, it's worth asking whether something in the car itself malfunctioned. Sudden steering issues, faulty braking systems or even problems with throttle response in a 9-year-old vehicle shouldn’t be ruled out. But unless a mechanic with investigative training has examined the RAV4, those questions may never get asked, let alone answered.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles often carry the story of a crash within their onboard systems. Speed, braking and steering input in the seconds before impact can offer clear insights into what went wrong. Paired with cell phone records or nearby traffic cameras, that data can confirm or challenge early assumptions. But without a specific effort to secure and review this digital evidence, a key piece of the truth may be left behind.

As straightforward as some crashes might seem on the surface, a closer look often reveals deeper layers. When no one digs into those layers, answers stay buried, and that doesn't help anyone.

Key Takeaways:

• Nighttime single-car crashes need more than a basic scene review to be understood.
• Older vehicles can carry hidden defects that might cause sudden loss of control.
• Electronic records from the car and phone can explain actions before impact, but only if collected.