San Benito woman dies in fatal Harlingen crash

A 77-year-old San Benito woman died in a fatal Harlingen crash on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (Courtesy: DPS)

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash in Harlingen on Friday afternoon that killed a 77-year-old San Benito woman.

The crash happened at approximately 1:27 p.m. on FM 509 south of FM 800.

The preliminary investigation reveals that a silver 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a man was traveling southbound on FM 509 approaching a curve while a black 2021 Hyundai Kona driven by Oralia Garza, 77, of San Benito, and occupied by a male passenger was traveling northbound on FM 509.

The Chevrolet was driving at a high rate of speed and tried to pass a semi-truck in a no-passing zone when it veered back into its lane to avoid hitting the Hyundai, according to a news release.

“The driver of the Chevrolet failed to control his speed and struck the back left of the semi-truck,” the release stated. “The momentum veered the Chevrolet back into the northbound lane and collided with the Hyundai.”

The driver and passenger of the Hyundai and the driver of the Chevrolet were taken to Valley Baptist Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Garza died Saturday.

DPS continues to investigate the crash.

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