Edinburg man sentenced to 10 years probation for fatal 2023 motorcycle, semi-truck crash

Luis Alberto Hernandez Cruz

An Edinburg man pleaded guilty Friday to hitting and killing a woman driving a motorcycle with his semi-truck in 2023 as part of a plea deal.

Luis Alberto Hernandez Cruz, 38, pleaded guilty to collision involving death and was sentenced to 10 years probation, according to court documents.

Cruz was initially charged with accident involving serious bodily injury until the victim, namely Karyme Garza, died later from her injuries on Aug. 15, 2023.

On Aug. 4 that same year, McAllen police responded to 1000 Tamarack Avenue in reference to a major accident where Cruz was driving a semi-truck while towing a dump trailer.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the semi-truck was blocking the northbound lanes of North 10th Street and the east- and west-bound lanes of 900 W. Tamarack Avenue.

When the police arrived, they noticed a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle was pinned under the right side tires of the second and third axles, as well Garza who was driving the motorcycle.

Garza was suffering from multiple and severe lacerations to her lower abdomen and hip area, according to the affidavit.

Police began questioning witnesses when one identified as Saul Garcia advised them that Cruz had fled on foot and was heading southbound through the east-side alley.

Garcia also advised that his employee, identified as Xavier Quintino, followed Cruz.

Quintino later told police that he witnessed the crash and stated that both the semi-truck and motorcycle were both traveling northbound on North 10th Street with the semi on the inside lane and the motorcycle on the outside lane.

“Xavier also told me he saw the semi-truck begin making a right turn onto Tamarack (Avenue) from the inside lane,” the affidavit said. “Xavier added he saw the semi-truck crash into the motorcycle.”

Quintino went on to say that he saw Cruz get out of the semi, walk around the truck, go back into the cab for a moment before exiting once more and began running east on Tamarack Avenue, then south through the alley.

According to the affidavit, Quintino followed Cruz with his motorcycle and advised Cruz to stop running and sit down multiple times until he ultimately waved down a police officer who would then detain Cruz.

Once detained, Cruz said he ran because he was scared and in shock, adding that he didn’t know where he was going or where the bike came from.

Cruz was initially facing between two to 20 years in prison, but was given 10 years probation as part of a plea deal.

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