A 19-year-old McAllen man suspected of leading state troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety on a chase that ended in a wreck in late August has died from his injuries.
The agency said in a news release that Ruben Villegas, the suspected driver, died Friday.
The chase happened at approximately 8 p.m. on Aug. 29 when a trooper tried to stop a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu occupied by four people, including Villegas, on FM 755 west of US 281.
“The Chevrolet was seen stopping at a rest area and dropping off five male subjects that ran into the brush, which appeared to be human smuggling,” the release stated. “The driver failed to yield and evaded law enforcement. The driver of the Chevrolet proceeded to travel recklessly and without its headlamps southbound on U.S. 281.”
Villegas lost control of the Chevrolet, which left the roadway and went across the southbound frontage where it struck a bar ditch and went airborne, according to the release.
“The Chevrolet then struck a fence and a tree as it rolled onto property off U.S. 281 and Via Sol,” the release stated.
DPS found three people inside the trunk of the car who had minor injuries.
