1 killed, 1 charged in auto-ped. crash on I-2 in La Feria

LA FERIA, TX – A 46-year-old tow truck driver died Tuesday when a drunk driver struck him along the interstate in west-central Cameron County.

According to Valley Central, the auto-pedestrian crash happened around 5 p.m. on the westbound shoulder of I-2 approaching FM 506 in the city of La Feria, which is just nine miles southwest of Harlingen.

The initial investigation indicates that the 28-year-old driver of a westbound Dodge Ram struck David Zapata as he was loading a vehicle onto his 2010 Black Hino Tow Truck.

Zapata’s injuries proved fatal.

The driver of the pickup truck, identified as Cristobal Stephan Garzez, did not stop to render aid or to speak with police. Authorities apprehended Garzez not long after the crash, charging him for hit-and-run and intoxication manslaughter.

The investigation is ongoing.

If you’re grieving a family member killed in a Cameron County auto-pedestrian crash caused by a drunk driver, you absolutely deserve recourse for your loss. The Texas wrongful death attorneys at The Benton Law Firm share your desire to hold reckless drivers accountable for the tragic consequences of their decisions. Call our team today at (214) 777-7777 or reach us online for a free consultation.

Note: The information included in this post was derived from secondary sources and has not been independently confirmed. Any inaccurate information will be corrected immediately after being brought to the site’s attention. If you identify any false information within this story, please inform us immediately so we can adjust the post to contain the most accurate information available surrounding this event.

Disclaimer: The intent of this post is to provide general information to our readers and to help improve the safety and quality of life of those who live in our state. At the Benton Law Firm, we intend to honor those who are victimized in accidents across Texas. We aim to provide up to date information to the public surrounding these incidents in hopes of helping others to avoid becoming victims themselves or to know how to respond should a tragedy occur. Do not rely on any information within this post. Instead, seek further assistance from a legal or medical professional whenever necessary.