Harlingen expressway closed Wednesday for DPS crash investigation

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation announced it will close the Interstate 2 (I-2) westbound main lanes and westbound I-2 frontage road in Harlingen, between FM 800 and FM 506, on Wednesday due to an investigation.

The closure will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The closure is being done so that the Texas Department of Public Safety can investigate the scene of a crash where tow truck driver David Zapata was killed.

During the closure, westbound traffic on the I-2 will be directed north or south of FM 800 and drivers will need to seek alternative routes to continue westbound, through U.S. Business Highway 83 or State Highway 107.

Background

On July 8, authorities responded to a crash on IH-2 east of FM 506 in Harlingen. According to a preliminary investigation, David Zapata, 46, was standing outside his 2010 Black Hino Tow Truck, securing another vehicle onto the tow truck in the shoulder lane.

Authorities say, a white Dodge Ram 1500, driven by Cristobal Stephan Garzez, 28, was going westbound on IH-2, rammed into the back of a tow truck and subsequently killed Zapata.

Garzez left the scene without rendering aid, according to a previous ValleyCentral article.

Documents obtained by ValleyCentral detail that he instead 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.

At the scene, troopers found a " white-powdery substance" in Garzez's truck. A field sobriety test was conducted, where, at the time of his arrest, authorities say he may have been under the influence of drugs.

Deputies stated in the documents that they did not believe he had been drinking, but his eyes appeared to show constricted pupils.

Garzez was charged with intoxication manslaughter, failure to slow down, causing death, failure to stop and render aid, and possession of a controlled substance, according to the release.  

He was issued a total bond of $725,000.