Joel Garza Jr Obituary, Death; – One individual has lost his life, and another has sustained injuries as a result of a tragic accident in Upton County on Tuesday afternoon.
As reported by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the incident took place at approximately 1:23 p.m. on November 27, when DPS troopers were dispatched to a collision on State Highway 349, close to mile marker 376.
Initial findings indicate that a Nissan Altima, driven by 28-year-old Joel Garza Jr. from Edinburg, was traveling northbound on SH 349 in the incorrect lane, specifically the outside southbound lane. The press release noted that Garza transitioned from the outside lane to the inside lane while still on the wrong side of the road, ultimately colliding with a Western Star semi-truck that was towing a trailer.
Authorities confirmed that Garza was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi-truck driver, identified as 60-year-old Ruben Villegas-Rodriguez from Crane, was taken to Rankin Hospital with minor injuries.
The report further indicated that both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident. According to DPS spokesperson Sergeant Steven Blanco, the investigation into the crash is ongoing, and no additional information is available at this moment.
