Donna man ejected, killed in Alamo crash Saturday night

Only have a minute? Listen instead
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
The scene of a one-vehicle fatal crash that occurred Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Hidalgo County. (Courtesy: DPS)

A Donna man who was ejected during a one-vehicle crash Saturday night is suspected of driving drunk, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

Mateo Alonso Cruz, 31, died from his injuries at the scene, according to a DPS news release.

The crash occurred at approximately 11:02 p.m. Saturday on Military Road, west of Valley View Road, south of Alamo in Hidalgo County.

DPS said that based on its preliminary investigation, a black 2004 GMC Envoy was traveling westbound on Military Road but failed to drive in a single lane as it approached a curve west of Valley View Road.

The GMC, occupied only by Cruz, struck a canal barrier, where he was ejected and landed inside a shallow canal; the vehicle was airborne and landed on its top in a nearby field, DPS said.

The agency continues to investigate the fatal crash, and noted that beer bottles were located at the scene and the GMC had a strong odor of alcohol.