Baytown, TX — July 25, 2025, Steven Gonsales and John Rippon were killed in a car accident at about 11 p.m. on State Highway 146.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2021 Chrysler 300 was heading north near Palm Royal Drive when it collided with a southbound 2016 Chevrolet Corvette. The Chrysler overturned after the crash, hitting two other southbound vehicles, while the Corvette caught fire.

Chrysler driver Steven Alday Gonsales, 23, and Corvette driver John Shane Rippon, 52, died in the crash, according to authorities.

The driver of a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado that was damaged in the crash suffered minor injuries, while the driver of a 2017 Cadillac XTS was not hurt, authorities said.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When news breaks about a violent highway collision, it's natural to focus on the chaos and aftermath. But beneath every crash lies a set of facts waiting to be uncovered; some obvious, some buried. In cases like this, the right questions can shine a light on what really happened.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? It's not clear whether this crash prompted a full reconstruction, but the complexity alone should have. Multiple vehicles, a rollover and a fire all suggest a high-speed, high-energy event. Investigators should have laser-mapped the scene, reviewed skid marks and taken a hard look at vehicle positions to figure out the exact sequence of impacts. Whether that happened, or whether officers just cleared the scene to reopen traffic, makes a big difference in getting to the truth. Local crash units vary widely in training and resources, and it’s not uncommon for even major collisions to get less scrutiny than they deserve.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Two vehicles involved were newer models, including one that caught fire and another that overturned. Fires in modern cars are rare and could point to electrical issues or a fuel system failure. Similarly, an overturn in a sedan could be the result of a suspension or stability control malfunction. Unless a qualified mechanic went over both vehicles bumper to bumper, it’s hard to rule out whether a defect might have either triggered the collision or worsened its outcome.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Between engine control modules, onboard sensors and infotainment logs, both the Chrysler and the Corvette should hold critical evidence about speed, braking and driver behavior in the moments before impact. If phones or navigation systems were active, they might also help confirm whether either driver was distracted or lost. Data from nearby traffic cameras or passing vehicles could also fill in the timeline. The sooner this digital footprint is pulled and preserved, the more complete the picture becomes.

Accidents like this often leave more questions than answers at first glance. But whether the cause is driver error, a hidden defect or missing context, digging deeper is the only way to move from speculation to clarity.

Key Takeaways:

• It's unclear whether crash investigators performed a full reconstruction of this multi-vehicle scene.
• Mechanical failure or a post-impact fire could point to deeper issues with either vehicle.
• Electronic data may hold the key to understanding exactly how and why this crash unfolded.