Pecos County, TX — January 2, 2026, Maxenino Flores was killed in a single-car accident at about 7:30 a.m. on Interstate 10 west of Fort Stockton.

Authorities said a 2004 Toyota Avalon was heading east when it lost control on a curve near mile marker 244. It skidded sideways and rolled several times.

Driver Maxenino Flores, 47, of San Antonio died after being transported to a nearby hospital, according to authorities.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After any serious highway accident, people are often left wondering not just what happened, but whether anything important got missed. In these moments, the search for answers shouldn't stop at the obvious. Even single-vehicle crashes demand careful scrutiny to uncover deeper causes that may not be visible at first glance.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? In single-vehicle rollovers, there's a tendency to chalk things up to driver error, particularly on curves or high-speed stretches. But a thorough investigation demands more than just a look at tire marks and final resting position. Did officers reconstruct the crash path using tools like laser mapping or crash simulation? Did they review surveillance footage from nearby traffic cameras or dash cams from passing vehicles to see what really happened in those moments before the roll? Without deeper work like that, there’s a real risk of oversimplifying something more complex. The truth is not all crash teams have the same level of training or resources, and that gap can leave key questions unanswered.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? A 2004 vehicle brings with it two decades of wear and the potential for serious mechanical issues, especially if routine inspections or maintenance were missed. If that Avalon suffered a steering failure, brake lockup or suspension issue, those defects could easily cause a loss of control, especially on a curve. Unless the car was taken into secure custody and given a full post-crash mechanical inspection, it's hard to rule out those possibilities. And in some cases, problems don’t leave clear evidence. They need trained eyes and diagnostic tools to uncover.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Most cars from the early 2000s don’t have the advanced data systems we see in newer models, but some still contain basic engine control modules. Even limited information about speed, braking or steering input could help clarify what really happened. Beyond that, phones, GPS units or traffic camera footage can fill in gaps about the driver's actions and timing. If those sources weren’t reviewed or preserved quickly, any helpful data they held could already be lost.

The questions that follow a fatal crash should never stop at the surface. Even in situations that might seem straightforward, there's always the potential for overlooked evidence or premature conclusions. Asking the right questions early on is often the only way to make sure the full story comes to light.

Key Takeaways:

• A rollover on a curve isn’t always just a matter of speed. Something else might have gone wrong.
• Older vehicles need careful inspection after a crash to spot possible mechanical failures.
• Even minimal electronic data can offer key insights if collected in time.