Bond reduction request denied for driver in deadly Harlingen tow truck crash

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The driver accused in the death of a tow truck driver in Harlingen was denied a bond reduction on Monday, Cameron County court records show.

Cristobal Stephan Garzez, 28, along with his attorney were present for a hearing at the 197th District Court, where Garzez's request to reduce his $510,000 bond was denied, according to court records.

Jail records list a bond amount of $250,000 for the intoxication manslaughter charge, $250,000 for the fail to stop and render aid in collision involving death charge, and $10,000 for possession of a controlled substance charge.

On Sept. 17, Garzez was indicted on charges of manslaughter, collision involving death and possession of a controlled substance of less than one gram.

Background

Just after 5 p.m. on July 8, 2025, on IH-2 east of FM 506, a tow truck driver, identified as 46-year-old David Zapata, was standing outside his 2010 Black Hino Tow Truck, securing another vehicle into the tow truck in the shoulder lane.

Garzez was driving a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck going westbound on IH-2 and rammed into the back of a tow truck, subsequently killing David Zapata, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral.

Zapata was standing behind the tow truck at the time that he was struck by Garzez.

Following the crash, Garzez did not pull over to render aid to Zapata, documents allege. Instead, he kept driving with blood splatter covering his vehicle from the front passenger door to the end of the truck bed.

Garzez was found on West Frontage Road, North of Beddos Road, shortly after the fatal crash.

Troopers found a white-powdery substance in his truck. When authorities spoke with Garzez about the incident and asked why he did not stop, he replied that he was scared.

A field sobriety test was conducted on Garzez at the time of his arrest due to indications that he may have been under the influence of drugs, authorities said. They did not believe he had been drinking, but his eyes appeared to show constricted pupils.

“Garzez was eager to provide a breath sample [but] was hesitant to provide a blood sample,” the affidavit detailed.