Harlingen man sentenced for death of woman who jumped out of car

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Harlingen man was sentenced to eight years in prison following the death of a woman who jumped out of his vehicle during an argument, court records show.

^{Juan Antonio Hernandez (Cameron County Sheriff's Office)}

Juan Antonio Hernadez appeared in court on Thursday, Aug. 14, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of collision involving death.

Background

On Feb. 3, 2024, Cameron County deputies responded to FM 509 and Harrison Avenue regarding a woman who jumped out of a moving vehicle.

At the scene, witnesses and EMS personnel told the responding deputies the vehicle she was in had left the scene, according to a previous ValleyCentral report.

The woman, identified as Amanda Hernandez, was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, but later died from her injuries.

Authorities obtained a description of the vehicle, and the driver, identified as Hernandez, was later found in Harlingen.

Hernandez told deputies, he was arguing with the woman while he was driving.

“[Hernandez] stated that he was not able to grab her when she jumped out of the vehicle, and admitted that he did not stop, fearing authorities would not believe him,” the Cameron County Sheriff's Office stated.

Hernandez was initially charged with criminal negligent homicide and collision involving death.

The charge of criminal negligent homicide was dismissed, according to court documents.

According to the Cameron County Court Records, he was sentenced to eight years and was given credit for the 117 days he spent at the Carrizalez Rucker Detention Center.