Harris County, TX — May 17, 2025, Vicky Perez was killed and Jonathan Ruiz was injured in a four-wheeler accident shortly before 11:45 p.m. along Gulf Pump Road.

According to authorities, Vicky Perez and Jonathan Ruiz were traveling on an eastbound four-wheeler on Gulf Pump Road when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the ATV failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It reportedly veered of of the roadway and into a grassy field where it collided with a tree and overturned.

Perez suffered fatal injuries due to the wreck, according to reports, and was declared deceased at the scene. Ruiz sustained injuries of unknown severity, as well, and was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When crashes like this happen—particularly involving ATVs on public roads at night—it’s easy to assume the loss of control was due to rider error. But in my experience, especially when one person loses their life and another is seriously hurt, the more important question is why the vehicle left the roadway to begin with. To understand what might have happened on Gulf Pump Road in Harris County, three key questions must be asked.

First, did investigators evaluate the road conditions and layout where the crash occurred? Roads not intended for standard motor traffic—let alone four-wheelers—can be poorly lit, uneven, or bordered by hazards like ditches or unmarked curves. Was Gulf Pump Road adequately marked and maintained? Was the edge of the road stable and visible in low light? Understanding whether the environment contributed to the vehicle leaving the roadway is essential in evaluating the crash accurately.

Second, has anyone examined whether a mechanical failure played a role in the loss of control? ATVs are highly sensitive to terrain and steering input, and a failure in the suspension, steering mechanism, or throttle control can result in sudden and unpredictable movement—especially on unfamiliar or poorly maintained roads. A thorough forensic inspection of the four-wheeler may reveal whether a mechanical problem made the vehicle unmanageable at a critical moment.

Finally, has any electronic or digital data been gathered to reconstruct the sequence of events? While ATVs don’t typically contain built-in event data recorders like passenger vehicles, GPS data, rider smartphone logs, or nearby surveillance footage may offer useful insight. If the ATV had any aftermarket navigation or tracking equipment installed, that too could help clarify the vehicle’s speed, direction, and path leading up to the crash.

Answering these three questions is critical to making sure that no stone is left unturned in understanding the causes of a crash like this. Serious wrecks deserve serious investigation, not assumptions. Getting clear answers to these questions is crucial for those seeking to understand what happened and why—and it's the least that can be done to help those affected find the clarity and closure they deserve.