The United States Border Patrol is grieving the tragic death of Processing Coordinator Jose Rodriguez-Lua, 21, who was killed in a fatal vehicle accident on Friday, November 1. The Brownsville native was riding in a Border Patrol transport van when it collided with a vehicle traveling the wrong way on U.S. 281 Military Highway in Hidalgo County, Texas.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that the accident occurred at around 9 p.m. The Border Patrol van, occupied by a driver and Rodriguez-Lua as the passenger, was heading eastbound on U.S. 281 Military Highway. A Ford F-150 pickup truck, occupied solely by its driver, was driving westbound in the wrong lane. According to DPS, the Ford F-150 collided head-on with the Border Patrol van, causing the pickup to roll over and catch fire.
Rodriguez-Lua was pronounced dead at the scene, while the Border Patrol agent driving the van was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and later released. The driver of the Ford F-150, who sustained severe burns, was also pronounced dead from his injuries.
The Border Patrol issued a statement on Monday, sharing their condolences: “We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of Border Patrol Processing Coordinator (BPPC) Jose Martin Rodriguez-Lua on November 1, 2024. We extend our deepest condolences to BPPC Rodriguez-Lua’s family, friends, and colleagues. CBP stands united and ready to offer support.”
The incident remains under investigation and the identity of the Ford F-150 driver has not been released. The Border Patrol community and Rodriguez-Lua’s family continue to mourn as they await more details surrounding this tragic event.
