Jones County, TX — February 3, 2026, Richard Rincon and Jacqueline Rincon were injured in a car accident at about 11:10 a.m. on U.S. Highway 83 south of Hawley.
A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2022 Ram 2500 collided with a 2012 Toyota Highlander that crossing the highway on the access road.
Toyota driver Richard Rincon, 61, and passenger Jacqueline Rincon, 59, were seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.
The Ram driver, a 59-year-old man, suffered minor injuries in the crash, the report states.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Jones County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Serious crashes have a way of leaving people with more questions than answers. In the early hours after a wreck, there’s often a short statement and a few basic facts. What really matters, though, is whether anyone took the time to look deeper.
The first question is whether authorities thoroughly investigated the crash. It’s one thing to document where the vehicles came to rest and take a few photos. It’s another to carefully map the scene, measure impact points and reconstruct how each vehicle moved in the seconds leading up to the collision. A strong investigation would include reviewing driver actions before impact: speed, braking, steering input and possible distraction. It would also mean assigning someone with proper crash reconstruction training, not just general patrol experience. Some officers have advanced skills in analyzing complex collisions, while others may not have the same depth of training. The difference can shape the entire understanding of what happened.
The second question is whether anyone examined the possibility of a vehicle defect. Modern vehicles are complicated machines. Brake systems, steering components, throttle controls and electronic sensors can all fail in ways that are not obvious from the outside. After a serious crash, both vehicles should be preserved and inspected by qualified mechanical experts. If a braking system malfunctioned or a sensor failed to detect cross traffic, those issues may not leave clear visual clues. Without a close inspection, a key factor could be missed.
The third question is whether all available electronic data has been collected. Most late-model vehicles store data that can show speed, throttle position, brake use and seatbelt status just before impact. That information can confirm or challenge initial assumptions. In addition, phone records, GPS data and nearby surveillance or traffic cameras may help establish timing and driver attention. This kind of digital evidence often provides a clearer picture than witness memories alone.
When a crash results in serious injuries, it deserves more than a surface-level review. Careful reconstruction, mechanical inspection and electronic data collection can reveal details that are otherwise easy to overlook. Without that effort, important truths may never come to light.
Key Takeaways:
- A thorough crash investigation should go beyond basic reports and include trained reconstruction work.
- Vehicle defects are not always visible and require careful mechanical inspection.
- Electronic data from vehicles and devices can provide crucial facts about what happened.