Helotes, TX — January 16, 2026, Stacy Rodriguez was killed in a car accident at about 9:20 p.m. on Bandera Road/State Highway 16.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2022 Toyota Camry was heading northwest when it hit a pedestrian east of Cedar Trail.

The pedestrian, 36-year-old Stacy Rodriguez, died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to the report.

The Toyota driver and two passengers were not hurt, the report states.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a serious crash, the first reports often leave more questions than answers. Early summaries can sound complete, but they rarely show whether the deeper work needed to understand what really happened has begun.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A basic report usually notes where a vehicle was and who was involved. That alone doesn’t show whether investigators took the extra steps that matter in a pedestrian crash. The key question is whether the scene was carefully mapped, vehicle movement was reconstructed and the driver’s actions in the moments before impact were examined. That can include speed analysis, steering input and whether the driver was paying full attention. Not every officer has the same level of training in complex crash review, and without enough time and tools, important details can be missed.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When a modern vehicle strikes a pedestrian, mechanical issues cannot be ruled out just because the car still runs. Braking problems, accelerator issues or failures in driver-assist systems may not be visible at the scene. Some vehicles also have alerts or automatic responses designed to react when a person is detected ahead. A full inspection is the only way to know whether something failed or didn’t respond as expected.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Today’s vehicles store a large amount of information. Speed, braking, throttle use, and warning alerts may all be recorded. Phones, in-car systems and nearby cameras can also help show whether the driver was distracted or took action just before the impact. This data can confirm or challenge what a short report suggests, but only if it is preserved and reviewed early.

When a life is lost, surface-level answers are not enough. Asking harder questions is how gaps get filled and how the full picture comes into focus. That process depends on careful investigation, open-minded review and a willingness to look beyond what’s obvious.

Key takeaways:

• A short crash report doesn’t show whether the hard investigative work was done.
• Vehicle problems and system failures can exist even when nothing looks broken.
• Electronic data often holds the clearest answers, but only if it’s collected in time.