Dallam County, TX — June 18, 2025, Yobani Cardova-Hernandez was killed and Suliman Alshibli was injured in an 18-wheeler accident at midnight on US Highway 87.

The Texas Department of Public Safety released initial details about the crash, which reportedly happened northwest of Dalhart.

According to officials, 27-year-old Yobani Cardova-Hernandez was in a Chevy Impala going along US 87. 21-year-old Suliman Alshibli was in an 18-wheeler traveling the opposite direction. Authorities say the Impala went left of center and crashed head-on with the 18-wheeler. This led to both vehicles going off-road and catching fire.

Due to the accident, reports say Yobani Cardova-Hernandez was killed. Suliman Alshibli reportedly had serious injuries. At this time, factors leading to the crash remain under investigation.

Commentary

When a head-on crash between a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler ends in fire, injury, and the loss of life, what’s immediately reported rarely tells the full story. These are the kinds of wrecks where assuming too much too soon does more harm than good—and where a careful, well-resourced investigation matters most.

1. Did officers on scene have the time, equipment, and training needed to do a full investigation?
Late-night wrecks on rural highways are often under-resourced. Crash sites like this—where vehicles caught fire and evidence may be compromised—demand more than a few photos and a statement. Investigators need time to reconstruct movements, examine damage patterns, and explore all possible causes. That level of attention isn’t always guaranteed, especially on less-traveled stretches of road.

2. Has anyone looked into whether a vehicle defect may have contributed to the accident?
Could mechanical failure—brakes, steering, or electronic systems—have contributed? Did airbags and seatbelts function during impact? Was the fire a reasonable result of the crash, or could it have been avoided? With vehicles damaged this badly, the only way to answer those questions is through a full inspection, which is something I rarely see preliminary police investigations do.

3. Was vehicle data, phone activity, and any nearby camera footage gathered and reviewed?
Modern vehicles—including 18-wheelers—carry onboard systems that record speed, braking, and steering behavior leading up to a crash. Phone records help confirm the timeline, and even in remote areas, nearby facilities or passing vehicles may have captured video of the accident. These are critical sources of information in a crash where one party isn’t around to speak for themselves.

Generally speaking, these questions give victims and families a snapshot of the answers they can expect. If authorities have satisfactory responses, it's likely they're being thorough in their investigations. Otherwise, if their responses come up short, that could be a sign the crash needs independent investigators to look things over.

Takeaways:

• Fatal commercial vehicle crashes must be investigated with full resources, not just routine procedures.
• Mechanical or safety failures in either vehicle may have played a role and must be inspected.
• Digital evidence from vehicles, phones, and nearby cameras often holds key facts.