Diaz, AR — December 31, 2025, Shirley Hudson was killed and Santos Gonzales and Isabela Gonzales were injured in a car accident at about 5:30 p.m. on State Highway 367.

Authorities said a northbound 2012 Chevrolet and a southbound 2007 Nissan crashed head-on.

Chevrolet driver Shirley Hudson, 77, of Cash died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to authorities.

Nissan driver Santos Reyes Gonzales, 45, and passenger Isabela Reyes Gonzales, 47, were hospitalized with unspecified injuries, authorities said.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people are hurt or killed in a crash, the conversation often shifts quickly to what happened, but not always to how thoroughly it’s being examined. There’s a difference between documenting a wreck and understanding it, and that difference matters.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A head-on collision raises immediate questions about how two vehicles came to occupy the same space at the same time. A proper investigation should involve more than a few photographs and basic measurements. It should include things like laser mapping the scene, checking pre-impact paths and reviewing each driver's actions leading up to the moment of impact. Not all crash teams have the same level of training or equipment, so in some areas, key steps may be skipped. When someone is killed and others are hospitalized, a thorough reconstruction shouldn't be optional.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? It’s not always driver error. A steering issue, brake failure or even an electrical malfunction could lead to a vehicle crossing into oncoming lanes. But unless someone does a post-crash mechanical inspection, these possibilities are often ruled out without evidence. Vehicle defects don’t always leave obvious signs, especially in older models. That’s why it’s important to treat mechanical failure as a live possibility until it’s been clearly ruled out.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Crash-related data can answer questions that a scene photo never could. Things like whether brakes were applied, how fast the vehicles were going or if either driver made a last-second correction attempt. This kind of data can come from onboard systems, GPS or even phones. But unless someone makes a point of securing it quickly, it can be lost or overwritten.

Understanding how and why a crash happened takes more than filling out a report. It takes asking the right questions and following the answers wherever they lead. That process doesn’t just fill in the blanks; it helps prevent the same thing from happening again.

Key Takeaways:

• Head-on collisions should trigger full-scale crash reconstructions.
• Mechanical failures may be missed without a proper inspection.
• Vehicle and phone data can clarify speed, braking and driver actions.