State authorities released the identity of one of two individuals killed in a single-vehicle crash near Edinburg late Friday night which, according to sheriff’s deputies, began as a Border Patrol pursuit.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash that left two dead and multiple people injured.
The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office said via Facebook that Border Patrol was attempting to stop a vehicle east of U.S. 281 and Farm to Market Road 490 when that vehicle lost control and rolled over.
“Multiple passengers are injured and DPS are reporting 2 fatalities,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.
DPS said in a news release Saturday that the crash occurred around 7:58 p.m. about 7 miles east of Edinburg.
According to DPS, the vehicle in question is a 2002 GMC Sierra that was occupied by seven individuals “evading law enforcement.”
The vehicle was driven by a man identified as 50-year-old Harlingen resident Ramon Garcia, who died at the scene of the rollover, which DPS said occurred when the driver “failed to negotiate the speed entering a curve and lost control of the vehicle” and veered off the road.
One of the occupants, a female, “was ejected and pinned under the GMC,” according to DPS, confirming she also died at the scene but has not released her identity until next of kin is notified.
Five other occupants were transported to DHR Health in Edinburg for what DPS called minor injuries.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 1:28 p.m. with additional information from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
