by Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian

04-19-25

Several uniformed U.S. Army soldiers were seen this morning near the intersection of FM 1049 and CR 245 working with some equipment as a U.S. Border Patrol helicopter continues to circle over U.S. Highway 90 and the railroad tracks.

The Uvalde Hesperian spoke with the soldiers, and one said they can’t comment about what they are doing but said the helicopter was a U.S. Border Patrol helicopter.

According to an NPR news report, the U.S, Army is providing logistical support for the U.S. Border Patrol.

“Presidio is in the Big Bend sector of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection – a stretch covering more than 500 miles of the Rio Grande, including a handful of other small towns and a national park too. Throughout this area, the Trump administration recently announced the deployment of some 500 active-duty soldiers.

The Army says that these soldiers won’t be arresting people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, and instead, will offer ‘logistical support’ to Border Patrol agents,” the article states.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

(Top Picture is of a Knippa ISD school crossing guard published previously by the Uvalde Hesperian)

 On Tuesday, February 20th, a Uvalde CISD crossing guard was struck by a vehicle during that morning’s drop off time.

According to Uvalde Chief of Police Daniel Rodriguez, the Texas Department of Public Safety is the lead agency investigating the incident.

News4SA reported the following on the incident: “According to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the incident happened around 8:00 a.m. Tuesday near the 900 block of Getty Street just outside of Flores Elementary School. The school district said U.S. Border Patrol agent Juan Francisco Perez, 43, of Uvalde hit a crossing guard after he made an illegal left turn. The crossing guard attempted to redirect the driver and Perez struck him with the pickup.”

“Officials proceeded to pull over the driver and arrested Juan Francisco Perez for Driving While Intoxicated with an open container and Failure to Stop and Render Aid. Authorities were also able to find out that Perez was a Texas Customs and Border Patrol Agent,” the News4SA report said.

Superintendent Ashley Chohlis issued the following statement later that day about the incident:

“Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Dear Uvalde CISD Parents and Faculty,
In an effort to keep the community informed with accurate information, I regret to notify you of a pedestrian accident this morning (Tuesday, February 20th) involving Uvalde
CISD’s Crossing Guard, Mr. Juarez, at the Studer Street and Getty Street crosswalk. During the morning drop off time, a vehicle hit Mr. Juarez while he was on duty. I want to
extend my gratitude to the school administration for their quick response and especially to our nurse who provided immediate medical attention until EMS arrived to assess Mr.
Juarez’s condition.

  Mr. Juarez was responsive during the on-site medical screening and was transferred to Uvalde Memorial Hospital for further evaluation. The driver involved in the accident was
detained by DPS. This incident is a stark reminder of the critical need for attentive, cautious driving, especially in areas frequented by pedestrians, such as school
campuses. Your vigilance and attention while driving can help prevent such unfortunate accidents in the future.

  Please keep Mr. Juarez in your thoughts, and let’s all work together to prioritize safety on and around our school premises. Thank you for your understanding and support.

by Michael Robinson; Picture Credit: Robinson (file photo)

Last Saturday, June 17th, an off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent was fatally injured while vacationing with family on a section of the Frio River near Garner State Park.  According to Garner State Park Superintendent Kelby Bridwell, the incident occurred near private property on the opposite side of GSP property.

This  statement was released  by U.S. Border Patrol and Customs: ” On June 17, 2023, an off-duty Border Patrol agent assigned to the San Diego Sector was involved in a swimming accident near Concan, Texas.

The agent succumbed to his injuries at the scene and the incident is currently under investigation by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.”

The Uvalde Hesperian is still investigating this incident.

   Picture by Michael Robinson

DPS released the following report:

 The 2011 black Honda passenger car was actively evading law enforcement. The black Honda was traveling eastbound on Nopal Street. Driver of the 2011 Ford F150 was traveling southbound on US 83 in the city limits of Uvalde.  The Honda disregarded a red light and struck the Ford F150 on its right side in the center of the intersection.

   Driver of the Black F150 was forced into a business store Amy’s Attic corner as a result of the crash. The vehicle came to rest facing northwest.

   Contributing factors: for the black Honda -Disregard red light.

  Driver of the Black Honda was arrested and charged with 2nd degree Felony Smuggling of Persons Fleeing 2nd charge. Smuggling of Persons with serious bodily Injury 2nd degree Felony. 3rd Smuggling of persons 3rd degree Felony.

  Driver Honda was 17 yrs old from Baron Louisiana and passenger was from Baton Louisiana age known.

  Driver of Ford F150 was from Brackettville.

   Injuries: Driver of the black Honda had no injuries passenger from Louisiana had minor injuries taken to the Uvalde Hospital

   Driver of the Ford F150 had minor injuries then taken the Uvalde Hospital.

A resident living in the vicinity of the 100-200 block of West Leona reported seeing someone hiding under a vehicle parked under a carport early this afternoon. Shortly after the sighting, several other undocumented migrants appeared on a Ring Doorbell camera. Uvalde Police and US Boarder Patrol arrived on the scene. Around 2 PM today,  a portion of West Leona Road was closed to traffic as officers rounded up the suspects which were seen sitting on the the curb.

 Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department responded to a dispatch request to assist US Border Patrol Monday Night Jan 2nd to help extricate an undocumented migrant stuck at the bottom of a trail car with a broken leg.

“This evening at 8:49 P.M., your UVFD was dispatched to the Knippa border patrol checkpoint for a UDA stuck in a train car with a broken leg. UVFD, along with Uvalde EMS and border patrol made a successful rescue and handed the patient off to Uvalde EMS,” UVFD Facebook Post said.

The Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department posted on its Facebook Page the following report:

   Rhonda Vigil, Monica Saiz-Martinez and and and several other neighbors gathered together virtually to plan a National Night Out event in Knippa. With some quick planning and volunteers to help, the event happened last night on Tuesday October 5th at the Knippa Park located at the corner of FM 1049 and Avenue . The event featured  a fire truck with lights on as well as food and music. 

  Sheriff Ruben Nolasco attended the event and the Knippa Volunteer Fire Department brought one of its fire trucks. 

  “Awesome turn out today,” wrote Martinez in a post. 

  Event organizers wrote, “Huge thanks to Uvalde EMS, Health and Human Services , Knippa VFD, Uvalde County Sheriff’s Department, Texas DPS  Troopers, Tavos Towing, Eclipze Tint Glass Electronics, US Border Patrol, Templo Jehovah Jireh and everyone in the community who brought something for the kids and really showed up! Looking forward to future community events!”