San Benito woman dies from injuries sustained in car accident

WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Texas DPS is investigating a fatal crash that occurred Friday on FM 509 south of FM 800 in Harlingen.

According to DPS, the fatality occurred around 1:27 p.m. An initial investigation showed a silver 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe, occupied only by a male driver, was traveling southbound on FM 509, approaching a curve.

A black 2021 Hyundai Kona, occupied by the female driver and male passenger was traveling northbound on FM 509.

The Chevrolet was speeding, according to DPS, and attempted to pass a semi-truck in a no-passing zone. It then tried to veer back into its lane to avoid colliding with the Hyundai.

The driver of the Chevrolet failed to control his speed and struck the rear left side of the semi-truck. The momentum sent the Chevrolet back into the northbound lane and collided with the Hyundai.

The driver and passenger of the Hyundai as well as the driver of the Chevrolet were transported to Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Hyundai, identified as 77-year-old Oralia Garza of San Benito, died from her injuries at the hospital the next day.

The passenger of the Hyundai and the driver of the Chevrolet remain in critical condition at Valley Baptist Medical Center.

DPS Troopers are further investigating this fatality.