Houston, TX — November 10, 2024, Wilbur Canales was killed in a car accident at about 2 p.m. in the 1500 block of Antoine Drive.

Authorities said a 2015 Honda Civic was driving north on Antoine Drive when it lost control for an unknown reason. The car crashed into a tree in the center median.

Driver Wilbur Fuentes Canales, 33, died at the scene of the crash.

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

Commentary

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators take the time to answer all the questions that arise from such a serious incident. A single-vehicle crash may seem straightforward at first glance, but experience has shown me that these cases are often more complex than they appear. That’s why any thorough investigation must address three key questions.

First, did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? The report states that the vehicle lost control for an unknown reason, which raises the question: What steps have been taken to determine what caused the crash? A proper investigation should include accident reconstruction, roadway analysis and witness statements if anyone saw what happened. Were there any road hazards, debris or sudden obstacles that forced the driver to react? Did investigators check for possible external factors, such as another vehicle cutting the Honda off? Without a detailed examination, critical details may go unnoticed.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect played a role? When a car suddenly loses control, mechanical failure is always a possibility. A forensic examination should determine whether the Honda Civic experienced issues with its brakes, steering system or even an unintended acceleration event. Tire blowouts, suspension failures or electronic malfunctions could have contributed as well. Unfortunately, in many cases, these possibilities are never explored because the vehicle is quickly disposed of or written off as driver error. Preserving the vehicle for inspection is the only way to know for sure.

Lastly, has all the electronic data from the crash been preserved? Most modern vehicles, including a 2015 Honda Civic, contain an engine control module that records crucial data leading up to a crash: speed, braking input and steering angles. This information could provide key insights into whether the driver attempted to correct a skid, experienced a sudden loss of power or was unable to brake in time. Additionally, surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras could reveal more about the moments leading up to the crash. However, this data is time-sensitive, and if not collected quickly, it may be lost forever.

At the end of the day, any serious crash demands a full and thorough investigation. Those affected deserve to know exactly what happened, and answering these three critical questions is the best way to provide those answers. Whether the cause was environmental, mechanical or something else entirely, the least the community can do is ensure that every possibility has been explored.