Tivoli, TX — April 28, 2025, Everardo Hernandez was killed and Mario Ruiz Sr. was injured in a car accident shortly before 4:30 a.m. on State Highway 35.
According to authorities, 40-year-old Everardo Hernandez was traveling in a southbound Honda Civic on S.H. 35 in the vicinity south of the Zarsky Road intersection when the accident took place.
Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the Civic failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. An oncoming Ford F-150 occupied by 52-year-old Mario Ruiz Sr. apparently took faulty evasive action, as well. A head-on collision followed between the two vehicles.
Hernandez reportedly suffered fatal injuries over the course of the accident. Ruiz sustained serious injuries, as well, according to reports. 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 early-morning head-on collisions on rural highways—the immediate reaction is often to focus on driver error. But in my experience, those assumptions can overlook deeper, more critical factors that may have led to the loss of life and serious injury. Understanding what really happened requires asking three key questions that too often go unexamined.
First, was there a thorough investigation into the roadway environment and how it may have contributed to the crash? Rural stretches of highway frequently lack lighting, have minimal lane markings, or include sharp curves that can disorient drivers—especially before sunrise. A detailed analysis of the road’s condition, visibility, and any environmental hazards is essential for determining whether either driver was responding to something that wasn’t immediately obvious at the scene.
Second, has anyone explored the possibility of a mechanical failure in either vehicle? Loss of steering control, brake failure, or problems with stability systems can all result in sudden, unexpected movements across the centerline. These failures don’t leave obvious signs at the crash site and require a forensic inspection of both vehicles while they’re still in post-collision condition. Without that step, vital evidence could be lost.
Finally, has all available electronic data been collected and reviewed? Event data recorders can provide crucial insight into each vehicle’s behavior in the seconds before impact—data like speed, braking, and steering input. This information can help confirm whether the vehicles reacted properly and whether the drivers had an opportunity to avoid the collision. Investigators should also pursue any nearby video footage, GPS records, or digital data that could shed light on what led 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.
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