An update on Sunday’s tragic accident that shut down Highway 90 reveals that mass casualties were discovered at the scene, leaving two individuals pronounced dead on site and a third dying in a helicopter during med-evac. Unfortunately, many of the photos taken at the site are deemed unsuitable for public release.

The incident began when DPS troopers attempted to stop a black pickup driver suspected of smuggling illegal aliens. Despite several attempts to use ‘stop spikes,’ the driver managed to evade them all, resulting in a lengthy pursuit. The chase ultimately ended near the City of Brackettville Office Annex West of town when the driver tried to go off-road, hitting a ditch and initiating a series of dangerous rolls.

The eight passengers crammed into the pickup were brutally ejected as the vehicle rolled and scattered them throughout the surrounding area, leading to severe injuries. Emergency workers had their hands full coordinating the comings and goings of med-evac flights as not all of the helicopters were able to land at once. Four helicopters were dispatched to the scene, but only three were ultimately used, along with multiple ambulances.

As the Department of Public Safety conducts its investigation, Kinney County EMS Director Henry Garcia informed county commissioners on Sunday (04/24) that he and local paramedics had to consume a month’s worth of supplies to attend to the victims of this single incident. The severity of the accident is a somber reminder of the need for caution and safety on the road, as well as the importance of emergency services and their dedication to saving lives in the face of tragedy.