Fatal head-on collision in New Braunfels, Texas

Published by Dunk Law Firm

Published:

A September 12 head-on collision in New Braunfels, Texas, killed 27-year-old Alex “Bubba” Nunez and injured his 3-year-old daughter, according to police reports. The child survived with injuries.

Investigators identified Rafael Alejandro Arreguin-Ramirez as the driver of the other vehicle. Authorities charged him with intoxication manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the collision. Those charges are allegations, and the criminal case remains subject to the judicial process.

The report also states that Alejandro Aguillen-Acosta, who was described as a passenger in the other vehicle, was arrested on charges of evading arrest and criminal trespass. Both men remain held in Guadalupe County pending local judicial proceedings, according to the report.

What Makes This Incident Different

This reported crash involved a head-on collision, a fatality, and injuries to a young child. Those facts can make the investigation especially important for a family coping with both the loss of a parent and a child’s medical needs.

A criminal case may proceed independently from any civil claim arising from the same collision. The criminal charges reported in the news do not, by themselves, establish civil responsibility or determine compensation. Civil questions depend on evidence, applicable Texas law, and the facts ultimately established in the case.

Questions Investigators May Examine

Authorities are investigating the collision. Depending on the available evidence, investigators may examine questions such as:

  • What physical evidence may show about how the two vehicles came into contact;
  • Whether crash-scene measurements, vehicle damage, or reconstruction analysis may clarify the vehicles’ movements before impact;
  • Whether records or testing may be relevant to the intoxication allegation reported by authorities;
  • Whether witness accounts, emergency calls, or nearby video may help establish the sequence of events; and
  • Whether the reported conduct of any person after the collision may be relevant to the criminal investigation.

The evidence will determine what occurred. Families should be careful not to rely on early assumptions while law enforcement and any other investigators continue their work.

Evidence That May Need to Be Preserved

After a fatal head-on collision, important information can disappear quickly. A family’s lawyer may send preservation requests where appropriate so potentially relevant material is not lost. Depending on the circumstances, evidence may include:

  • Police reports, crash-scene photographs, diagrams, and measurements;
  • Photographs of vehicle damage and the roadway taken soon after the collision;
  • Any available dash-camera, surveillance-camera, or traffic-camera footage;
  • Witness names, statements, and 911 call recordings;
  • Vehicle inspection records and data that may be stored by a vehicle’s systems;
  • Medical records documenting the child’s injuries and treatment; and
  • Records and reports associated with the reported criminal investigation.

Preservation does not mean that every record exists or that every item will support a particular claim. It helps ensure that relevant material can be evaluated before it is overwritten, discarded, or becomes unavailable.

What Families Should Know

In Texas, the death of a parent may create serious legal and financial questions for surviving family members. Texas law generally allows certain close relatives, including a surviving spouse, children, and parents, to pursue a wrongful-death claim when the legal requirements are met. A separate estate-based claim may also be available in some situations.

A child injured in the same collision may have a separate personal-injury claim. Medical documentation, treatment costs, and the effect of injuries on the child’s life can be important issues. Because the injured child is a minor, particular rules may apply to resolving or managing any claim.

Texas deadlines can be strict. Wrongful-death and injury claims often have a two-year filing deadline, although the correct deadline can depend on the circumstances and exceptions may apply. Criminal proceedings do not necessarily pause or extend a civil deadline. Prompt legal guidance can help a family understand its options while respecting the ongoing investigation.

How Dunk Law Firm Can Help

Dunk Law Firm represents families facing wrongful-death and serious-injury claims in Texas. After a fatal collision such as the one reported in New Braunfels, our team can review the available facts, help pursue preservation of relevant evidence, coordinate with the status of a criminal investigation, and explain potential civil options in plain English.

If your family lost a loved one or is caring for an injured child after a serious Texas crash, Dunk Law Firm can discuss the circumstances of the case and the steps that may be available.

This post is based on publicly available news reports and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice.