Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyTriple Vehicle Accident Reported in FM 490 Area of Willacy County
Authorities responded to a three-vehicle accident on the southbound lanes of IH-69E near FM 490 in Willacy County. The Willacy County Sheriff's Office and the Raymondville Fire Department were on the scene to manage the situation. As of now, there are no reports of injuries. Officials have advised drivers to expect delays in the area and to reduce their speed while emergency teams continue their work.
Public SafetyPedestrian Identified in Fatal Accident South of Sebastian
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has identified the pedestrian who died in a chain-reaction accident on IH-69E in Willacy County as 33-year-old Juan Hernández, a resident of Lyford. The incident occurred on Saturday, May 23, when traffic slowed due to an overturned SUV blocking the lanes. A Chevrolet Suburban, towing a Honda Pilot, lost control while trying to brake and collided with a Nissan Altima. The Suburban then veered off the road and struck Hernández, who was near a ditch. He was taken to Valley Baptist Medical Center, where he later died. DPS is continuing to investigate the accident.
Public SafetyProgreso High School student drowns in canal near Mercedes
A tragic incident occurred in rural Mercedes when a 17-year-old Progreso High School student, Samuel Hernandez, drowned in a canal on Sunday evening. Witnesses reported that Hernandez jumped into the water to free a fishing line but struggled to stay afloat. Despite attempts by friends to help him, he went underwater and did not resurface. His body was recovered the following morning by a dive team. Progreso ISD expressed deep sorrow over Hernandez's passing, highlighting his role as a beloved quarterback and offering support services for students and staff affected by the tragedy. The investigation continues.
Public SafetyPedestrian dies after being struck by SUV involved in rollover crash near Sebastian
A pedestrian, identified as 33-year-old Juan Hernandez from Lyford, has died after being struck by an SUV involved in a rollover crash near Sebastian. According to Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Sgt. Maria Hernandez, the incident occurred on Interstate Highway 69E, where traffic was slowed due to the earlier accident. A Chevrolet Suburban lost control while trying to slow down and collided with a black Nissan Altima, veering off the road and hitting Hernandez, who was standing in a ditch. He was taken to Valley Baptist Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Public SafetyPedestrian dies after being struck by SUV following vehicle crash near Sebastian
A pedestrian, identified as 33-year-old Juan Hernandez from Lyford, has died after being struck by an SUV following a vehicle crash near Sebastian. According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Maria Hernandez, the incident occurred when a Chevrolet Suburban, which was towing a Honda Pilot, lost control while trying to slow down due to a rollover accident on Interstate Highway 69E. The Chevrolet collided with a black Nissan Altima and veered off the road, hitting Hernandez, who was standing in a ditch. He was taken to Valley Baptist Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Public SafetyRollover crash leads to fatal auto-pedestrian incident in Sebastian: DPS
SEBASTIAN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An SUV rollover led to a fatal auto-pedestrian crash involving a Chevrolet towing a vehicle, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. As previously reported on ValleyCentral, at approximately 12:17 p.m. on Saturday, DPS troopers responded to a crash on IH-69E southbound south of Mile Post 37, south of Sebastian. A
Public Safety‘We don’t go out at night so carefree’: Possible gator sighting worries residents
LA JOYA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A possible alligator sighting near Walker Lake has residents in La Joya on edge, with city officials urging people living near the water to stay alert and avoid the area until more information is available. Authorities say an alligator was reportedly spotted in Walker Lake, prompting warnings to residents in
Public SafetyProgreso High School student drowns in canal near rural Mercedes
A tragic incident occurred in rural Mercedes when a 17-year-old Progreso High School student, Samuel Hernandez, drowned in a canal on Sunday evening. Witnesses reported that Hernandez jumped into the water to free a fishing line but struggled to stay afloat. Despite attempts to assist him, he disappeared underwater and was later found by a Texas Department of Public Safety dive team the following morning. Hernandez, who had just completed his junior year and was a quarterback for the school, is mourned by the Progreso Independent School District, which is offering counseling services to those affected. The investigation is ongoing.
Public SafetySebastian MUD issues boil notice following water leak
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has issued a boil water notice for customers of Sebastian MUD due to a water leak. Residents are advised to boil water before using it for drinking, cooking, washing hands, brushing teeth, or making ice, particularly to protect vulnerable populations like children and seniors. Water should be boiled vigorously for two minutes to eliminate harmful bacteria. Alternatively, bottled water can be used. Sebastian MUD will inform customers when the water is safe again. For inquiries, residents can contact Sebastian MUD at 956-347-3036 or 956-577-4709, or reach the executive director at 512-239-4691.
Public SafetyJudge throws out Gulf Cartel gun smuggling case
McAllen, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A federal judge dismissed a conspiracy charge against a man accused of selling guns to the Gulf Cartel on Friday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano dismissed the case against Julio Treviño Jr., 23, of McAllen on Friday afternoon. “The government did not produce a single iota — not a shred
Public SafetyWater boil notice issued in Sebastian
SEBASTIAN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A water boil notice has been issued for residents in Sebastian due to a water outage, according to the Sebastian Municipal Utility District. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Sebastian MUD to put out a water boil notice to its customers following the water leak. The water boil notice
Public Safety$692K in Cocaine Intercepted by CBP Officers at Progreso Port of Entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Progreso Port of Entry seized over $692,000 worth of cocaine on May 13. The drugs, weighing 51.85 pounds, were discovered in a 2022 Ford Mustang driven by a 19-year-old U.S. citizen during a secondary inspection. CBP utilized a nonintrusive inspection system and canines to uncover 23 packages of the narcotics. The driver was arrested by Drug Enforcement Administration agents from McAllen, and a criminal investigation has been initiated by a Homeland Security Task Force. Port Director Michael Martinez praised the officers' commitment to border security and community safety.
Public Safety17-year-old drowns in canal near rural Mercedes
A 17-year-old student from Progreso High School, Samuel Hernandez, drowned in a canal near rural Mercedes on Sunday evening. The incident occurred around 7:44 p.m. while Hernandez and his friends were fishing. Witnesses reported that Hernandez jumped into the canal to free a stuck fishing line but struggled to stay afloat. Despite attempts to help him with a pole, he disappeared underwater and did not resurface. His body was recovered by a Texas DPS dive team the following morning. Progreso ISD expressed deep condolences and announced counseling services for those affected. The investigation is ongoing.
Public SafetyProgreso ISD student drowns after jumping into canal, Sheriff says
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A teenager drowned after attempting to free a fishing line in a canal located at Mile 1 West and Mile 10 in rural North Mercedes, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. A spokesperson from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Samuel Hernandez, 17. On Monday morning, the
Public SafetyCBP seizes more than $1.2 million in cocaine at Hidalgo and Pharr International Bridges
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo and Pharr International Bridges seized over $1.2 million in cocaine during two separate incidents. On May 10, officers discovered 57.32 pounds of cocaine hidden in a Honda sedan coming from Reynosa, Mexico. Two days later, they found 35.93 pounds of cocaine in a Chrysler sedan, also from Reynosa. Both vehicles were subjected to nonintrusive inspections and canine screenings, leading to the discovery of the narcotics. The drivers were arrested, and investigations are ongoing, according to Port Director Carlos Rodriguez.
Public SafetyDPS Files Charges Against Port Lavaca Man in Child Exploitation Inquiry
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has arrested 62-year-old Kenneth W. Bulsterbaum in Port Lavaca as part of a child exploitation investigation. The inquiry began after law enforcement received information about incidents involving juvenile victims over several years. On May 20, 2026, DPS agents executed a search warrant at Bulsterbaum's residence on South Colorado Street, leading to his arrest for indecency with a child and sexual performance by a child, both third-degree felonies. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities encourage anyone with information to contact Victoria/Port Lavaca Crime Stoppers at 361-572-4200.
Public SafetyBody of a Minor Pulled from Texas Beach After Being Swept Away by a Wave
The body of Joshua Lahai, a child who disappeared Sunday afternoon after being swept away by a wave at Surfside Beach, a beach in southeast Texas, has been recovered. Authorities reported that a fisherman made the discovery around 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Oyster Street and Beach Drive along the Surfside coast and alerted them. The child had gone missing while swimming approximately 150 yards from the shore alongside another minor. According to Surfside Beach police, a wave pulled him underwater while he was playing with another child. Search teams conducted an intense operation for nearly two days until the body was found. Dramatic Search On Monday afternoon, authorities reported the discovery of a pair of shorts that, according to the father, belonged to the missing child who was swept away by a wave in Surfside on Sunday afternoon. The garment was found a quarter mile from where the child was last seen. Texas EquuSearch teams were scouring the water area for more clues, while agents from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Game Wardens) were also in the area. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is expected to deploy a boat on Monday night to reinforce the search efforts, which could extend throughout the night. Rescue teams worked all night to try to locate him. Tim Miller, founder of Texas EquuSearch, confirmed that his organization was in the area assisting in the efforts. 'We’ve been here all night. No one has slept. We continue to do everything we can,' Miller said during the search. The Disappearance According to authorities, the minor was visiting Surfside Beach with a youth football team from Richmond, Texas, along with family and friends over Memorial Day weekend. Investigators indicated that a large wave hit the minors. The child disappeared underwater and did not resurface. The other minor managed to return safely to the beach. More than 40 people participated in the search operation, including members of the Surfside Beach Police Department, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, and volunteers from Texas EquuSearch. The U.S. Coast Guard also joined the efforts since Sunday night, deploying an airplane, a helicopter, and boats to search the area.
Public SafetyBLEVE Explosion Ruled Out in California; Toxic Threat Persists
The serious concern over the possibility of an explosion that could release a plume of toxic chemicals into the air in Garden Grove weighed heavily on residents of this Orange County community and firefighters, who were working diligently to find ways to mitigate the threat to nearby homes and businesses during a troubling weekend. The crisis began on Thursday when a storage tank at GKN Aerospace started to heat up, building pressure due in part to a problem with a pressure relief valve. The situation reached a critical point where firefighters warned that the tank would either leak its toxic contents or explode. Evacuation orders remain in effect since this weekend for nearly 50,000 people due to what authorities described as a complex and unprecedented hazardous materials emergency. The tank contains methyl methacrylate, a colorless, volatile, and flammable liquid chemical used in the manufacturing of resins and plastics, which can irritate the skin, eyes, and nose in humans. On Monday, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) announced in a morning update that the risk of a BLEVE had been eliminated. However, the threat has not been fully mitigated. This is what this news means for the emergency in Garden Grove.
Public SafetyWoman from Edinburg Arrested for Domestic Assault and Resisting Arrest
Luisa Verónica Silva, a resident of Edinburg, was arrested on May 24 by the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. She faces charges of family violence for causing bodily injury to a family member, as well as resisting arrest. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding domestic violence in the area. Silva's case is currently under investigation, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities continue their work.