Press release from Texas Department of Public Safety: Del Rio

04-18-25

UPDATE 4/16/25:

DEL RIO – THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on April 10, 2025, at approximately 3:36 p.m., on FM 481, 2 miles north of US 57 in Maverick County.

  A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2023 gray Chevrolet Blazer sport utility vehicle was traveling northbound on FM 481. A 2019 red Chevrolet Blazer sport utility vehicle was traveling southbound on FM 481. The gray Chevrolet Blazer failed to drive in a single lane and struck the 2019 red Chevrolet Blazer in the southbound lane.

  The driver of the gray Chevrolet blazer, Michael Charles Elkins, 62, from Hondo, Texas, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the red Chevrolet blazer, Carlos Zabdi Salazar, 22, of Eagle Pass, Texas, was taken to Fort Duncan Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. DPS Troopers continue to investigate this fatal crash.

Press release from THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS)

04-12-25

DEL RIO – THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on April 10, 2025, at approximately 3:36 p.m., on FM 481, 2 miles north of US 57 in Maverick County.

  A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a gray 2023 Chevrolet blazer, Michael Charles Elkins, 62, from Hondo, Texas, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

  The driver of a 2019 red Chevrolet blazer was taken to Fort Duncan Medical Center in Eagle Pass, who died at the hospital. The identity will be released once the next of kin is notified.

  DPS Troopers continue to investigate this fatal crash. We will provide updated information once it becomes available. 

03-27-25

Press Release from Texas DPS Del Rio

Top picture submitted to the Uvalde Hesperian by a motorist at the scene.

DEL RIO – THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on March 25, 2025, at approximately 6:24 a.m., on FM 117, 6 miles south of Batesville in Zavala County.

  A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2024 white Ford F-550 pickup towing a 2010 flatbed trailer was traveling northbound on FM 117. A 2021 white Ford F-350 was traveling southbound on FM 117. When turning left, the Ford F-550 failed to yield the right of way and struck the Ford F-350.

  The driver of the Ford F-350 was ejected and was impacted by the truck as it overturned on top of the driver.

  The driver of the F-350, Corey Mansell, 33, from Uvalde, Texas, was pronounced deceased at the scene. DPS Troopers continue to investigate this fatal crash

On Tuesday March 25th, a motorist at the scene of the crash sent this report in to the Uvalde Hesperian on this crash:

02-24-25

Press Release from the Texas Department of Public Safety

Top Picture: File Photo

Del Rio- THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) is investigating a one-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on February 22, 2025, at approximately 3:14 p.m., on FM 1022 approximately 18 miles west of Uvalde in Uvalde County.

  A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 black GMC pickup truck was traveling northbound on FM 1022.

  The GMC was approaching a curve and crossed over the southbound lane. The GMC skidded off the roadway, overcorrected then overturned ejecting the driver. The driver, Leonard Sandoval, 57, from Brackettville, was pronounced deceased on scene. DPS Troopers continue to investigate this fatal crash.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

01-24-25

A Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office command unit along with several other sheriff’s department vehicles were seen at a trailer park located just north of Knippa at 897 FM 1949 Friday Afternoon. The Sheriff’s Office was accompanied by Texas DPS on a trailer down the dirt road lined with several trailers. Yellow crime scene tape was also seen placed over the road.

It is unclear what the reason was for the investigation or if it was related to the body discovered under the Highway 90 Frio River Bridge on Wednesday afternoon earlier this week.

Press release from Del Rio Texas Department of Public Safety

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

01-24-25

 THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) is investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash that occurred on January 22, 2025, at approximately 5:33 a.m., on US 57, approximately 5 miles east of Batesville, mile marker 426 in Zavala County.

  Preliminary investigation revealed a 2019 white Peterbilt truck tractor semi-trailer was traveling west on US 57. A gray 2008 Dodge Caravan was traveling east on US 57.

  The Dodge traveled onto the wrong side of the roadway and collided head-on with the Peterbilt. The driver and passenger of the Peterbilt were not injured. The driver of the Dodge, Carmen Ruiz, 50, from Batesville, Texas, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

  The fatal crash remains under investigation.

Press Release by Texas DPS

Image by Kati from Pixabay

September 19th, 2024

  DEL RIO – THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on September 17, 2024, at approximately 8:10 a.m., on US 83 near mile marker 586 approximately one mile south of Uvalde in Uvalde County.

   Preliminary investigation revealed a 2020 gray Dodge Journey was traveling southbound on US 83. A 1999 green Dodge Caravan vehicle was parked facing northbound on US 83. The Dodge Journey was passing a vehicle in a no-passing zone.

  The driver of the Dodge Journey noticed another vehicle traveling northbound in which the driver of the Dodge Journey took evasive action to its left and struck the Dodge Caravan that was parked off the roadway. Due to injuries sustained the driver of the Dodge Caravan, Berta Ramirez, 80, from Uvalde was pronounced deceased on scene.

  The driver and passenger of the Dodge Journey were transported to Uvalde Hospital for non – threatening injuries. DPS continues to investigate this fatal crash.

Press Release by Texas DPS

Top picture by Michael Robinson

July 13th, 2024

DEL RIO – THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on July 12, 2024, at approximately 7:36 p.m., on US 83 approximately 10 north of Uvalde Tx in Uvalde County.

  Preliminary investigation revealed a 2018 silver Nissan Maxima passenger car was traveling northbound on US 83.

  A 2018 blue Peterbilt Truck Tractor semi towing a 2018 Utility Trailer were traveling southbound on US 83.

 The 2018 Nissan Maxima for unknown reason failed to drive a single lane and veered into the opposite lane of traffic. The Nissan passenger car struck the Peterbilt Truck Tractor Semi who was traveling southbound head on.

  Due to injuries sustained the driver of the silver Nissan Maxima, Jose Luis Garces, 25, from Uvalde was pronounced deceased at the scene. Driver and passenger of the blue Peterbilt, were both from Laredo Tx and not injured. DPS Troopers continue to investigate this fatal crash.

Press Release from Texas DPS; picture by Texas DPS

DEL RIO – THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS is investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash involving a commercial motor vehicle that occurred on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at approximately 1:06 a.m., on US 83 Mile Marker 654 near Catarina, TX in Dimmit County.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2018 white Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer was traveling southbound on US 83 approaching a curve. The Freightliner lost control and overturned coming to rest upside down in a ditch.

Due to injuries sustained the driver of the Freightliner, Jose A. Lugo, 30, from El Paso TX, was pronounced deceased at the scene. DPS Troopers continue to investigate this fatal crash.