Tarrant County, TX — December 1, 2025, Kendel Gabriel was injured due to a single-car accident at approximately 1:15 a.m. along State Highway 360.
According to authorities, 19-year-old Kendel Gabriel was traveling in a southwest bound Chevrolet Malibu on S.H. 360 at I-20 when the accident took place.
Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the Malibu took faulty evasive action and failed to safely maintain control. It was consequently involved in a single-vehicle collision in which it apparently struck a guardrail.
Gabriel reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. 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 a young driver suddenly loses control and crashes into a guardrail in the early morning hours, it’s easy to chalk it up to inexperience or distraction. But serious injuries in a single-car wreck should always lead to deeper questions—especially when the reason behind the evasive action isn’t known.
Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
It’s not enough to state that the driver made a “faulty evasive action.” What prompted that maneuver in the first place? Did investigators review tire marks or analyze vehicle positioning to determine whether the car was reacting to an obstacle, another vehicle, or something mechanical? A proper scene reconstruction can offer those answers, but if it wasn’t done—or was done too quickly—key context might be lost.
Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
A sudden loss of control can stem from more than just steering error. If the Malibu experienced a suspension issue, brake failure, or a problem with its electronic stability control system, the driver might not have been able to maintain control, even with proper inputs. These aren’t issues you can spot just by looking—they require targeted mechanical inspection. Without that, the cause may remain buried.
Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
The Malibu likely contains pre-crash data that records speed, brake usage, steering angle, and even stability control engagement. That information could clarify whether the driver reacted appropriately and whether the car responded the way it should have. If GPS or phone usage logs are available, they could also provide missing details about what led up to the crash. But this data has a short shelf life—it must be preserved quickly.
Every serious crash tells a story—but that story can’t be uncovered unless someone takes the time to gather and examine all the evidence. Anything less leaves too many questions unanswered.
Takeaways:
- Crashes involving evasive maneuvers require a full reconstruction to understand what the driver was reacting to.
- Mechanical or electronic system failures may be to blame and must be investigated thoroughly.
- Vehicle telemetry can confirm whether driver input matched vehicle behavior—and whether the car responded as designed.