Police investigating hunting incident that killed ICU nurse in South Texas, officials say

By Lana Ferguson | Dallas Morning News (TNS)

State law enforcement is investigating the recent death of a 23-year-old woman in Kenedy County, officials said.

On Nov. 15, Texas game wardens, Texas Rangers and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to a hunting incident that led to Hailey Jasso of Pharr being taken to a nearby hospital, where she died, according to a Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife news release. Kenedy County is roughly a 500 mile drive south of Dallas, just north of the Rio Grande Valley.

The state agencies are continuing to investigate the incident. Officials on Monday declined to release additional details, citing the pending investigation.

Jasso, born in McAllen, worked as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at the Rio Grande Regional Hospital where she was honored with multiple DAISY awards for the exceptional care and love she gave her patients, according to her obituary.

“A woman of boundless energy and unwavering faith, Hailey lived a life filled with adventure, joy, and love for the outdoors,” her obituary reads. “She was an avid hunter and fisherman, finding peace in nature’s beauty and the thrill of the catch.”

A GoFundMe set up to support Jasso’s “legacy of care” has raised more than $13,000 as of Monday.

One donor wrote that Jasso provided excellent care to his father, who was a cancer patient.

“It deeply saddens me my dad lost his battle with cancer, and then ICU Nurse Hailey Jasso, who took care of him, also passed away approximately 2 months later,” he wrote.

As of the beginning of November, 13 non-fatal hunting accidents have been reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department this year, most of those accidents occurred during dove season earlier this fall, a spokesperson said.

The department published a news release emphasizing responsible and safe hunting practices earlier this month as the white-tailed deer general season opened.

Updated numbers — which will reflect the Kenedy County incident — will not be avaiable until after the investigation is complete.

A new record low of one fatality and 10 non-fatal hunting accidents were reported last year in Texas, according to the 2023 Texas Hunting Accident Report.

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