UPDATE (March 10, 2025): Further statements identified the victims involved in the accident. 25-year-old Roman Ruiz was identified as the passenger who lost their life in the crash. The driver was identified as 27-year-old Tommy Castanon. Further details can't be confirmed at this time.

San Antonio, TX — February 27, 2025, a man was killed and one was injured following a car accident early Thursday on Natchez Trail Drive.

Investigators said that the crash took place off the corner of the Natchez Trail Drive and South Presa Street intersection.

According to officials, two people were in a vehicle going along Natchez Trail. The vehicle reportedly lost control, and it crashed into a pole off the side of the road. Due to the crash, the man riding as a passenger in the vehicle was killed.

The driver of the car had reportedly serious injuries. Right now, investigations are ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

One of the most common challenges following any fatal crash is those affected wondering if they're really getting the whole story. Authorities sometimes get so caught up in looking for criminal offenses (rightfully so) that they forget there may still be people in need of answers that potential charges alone aren't likely to provide. It can be important, then, to ask key questions about their efforts.

Did investigators take the time and use the right tools to fully analyze the crash? A vehicle losing control could be influenced by road hazards, mechanical failures, or evasive maneuvers. If authorities focused only on potential charges rather than conducting a full reconstruction, important details may have been missed.

Did they check for possible vehicle defects? Brake failures, steering malfunctions, or tire blowouts could have played a role in the crash. Additionally, if seatbelts or airbags didn’t function properly, the severity of the injuries may have been worse than necessary. Were these possibilities ruled out with a thorough vehicle inspection?

Did they secure all available electronic evidence? The vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) may contain data on speed, braking, and steering inputs before impact. GPS records, cellphone data, and nearby security or traffic camera footage could also provide valuable insights. Did authorities work to preserve this information before it was lost?

In my over 30 years of experience, it's important for families to know they have the whole story. If authorities can provide clear answers to these questions, it can be a significant weight off a family's mind. If they can't, it's only reasonable that some would seek out alternative avenues for getting the answers they need. Whether or not that would be necessary here remains to be seen.