Two dead following Frio high-speed chase, rollover

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A high-speed chase turned fatal on Friday, December 16, when a driver lost control of his vehicle and rolled-over in Moore, killing two illegal immigrants.

Frio County Sheriff’s deputies say they were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on IH-35 around 7:35 a.m. Friday when the 34-year-old driver sped up.

The driver, later identified as Edwing Martinez of Houston, attempted to exit the interstate by crossing the grassy median when he lost control of the pickup truck.

According to the report on the case, the deputy observed several individuals being ejected during the rollover.

Deputies provided emergency first aid to victims while waiting for paramedics and life-flight helicopters to make the scene.

“This was a tragic scene,” Chief Deputy Peter Salinas said Monday afternoon. “The deputy immediately noticed a woman with her young child who was severely injured.”

Two men, who had been thrown the furthest from the vehicle, were pronounced dead on scene.

According to a report on the case, Martinez allegedly admitted to deputies he had been behind the wheel of the truck.

Martinez, who was transported to Frio Regional Hospital for injuries he sustained during the crash, became combative with hospital staff and was taken into custody by Homeland Security investigators.

The remaining passengers were all flown to San Antonio hospitals for treatment.

“He will face federal prosecution for multiple criminal charges including two deaths,” Salinas said. “In addition, our agency will be completing an investigative file for the district attorney to review for multiple state level felonies including murder, endangering a child, human smuggling and evading.”

According to the report, Martinez is responsible for the death of two men, and severe bodily injury to four other adults and two children, ages four and two.

As of presstime, deputies are unsure of the condition of the passengers and noted Martinez remains in federal custody.