A Los Fresnos man died Sunday morning after being ejected from his vehicle due to not wearing his seatbelt, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
The driver was identified as Carlos Vela, 40.
At approximately 7:34 a.m. Sunday, the department’s preliminary investigation revealed that a white 2011 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling northbound on FM 1575.
The driver, identified as Vela, disregarded a stop sign, which led to the vehicle veering off the road, striking a wooden post and rolling over, DPS said in the release.
DPS added that Vela was “not secured by his safety belt” and was ejected. Vela succumbed to his injuries at the scene, DPS said.
The department stressed that seat belts are the best defense against impaired, aggressive and distracted drivers, adding that being buckled up during a crash helps keep you safe and secure.
“Being completely ejected from a vehicle is almost always deadly,” DPS said in the release.
Texas law requires for everyone in vehicles to wear their seat belts or you’ll face fines up to $200.
The crash remains under investigation.
