PALMVIEW, Hidalgo County, Texas, Oct. 5, 2026 — Two men died Sunday evening, October 4, in a two vehicle crash at an intersection north of Palmview. The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating.
The crash happened around 5:09 p.m. at the intersection of FM 1924 and Minnesota Road. A 2018 Ford F-150 was headed eastbound on FM 1924 when a 2006 Toyota Tundra traveling northbound on Minnesota Road reportedly ran a red light and struck the Ford.
DPS identified the man driving the Ford as Leobardo Adan Garza, 53, of Mission, and the man driving the Toyota as Margarito Vasquez Cano, 36, also of Mission. Both men died at the scene, according to the agency.
Troopers continue to investigate the crash. Our condolences go out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.
A Common Misconception About Red Light Crashes
Many drivers assume that running a red light is a split second misjudgment, a car entering an intersection just as the signal changes. In practice, red light violations that lead to fatal crashes often involve a vehicle entering well after the light has turned, with enough time for the driver to have stopped.
The assumption that intersection crashes are mostly a pedestrian safety issue is also incomplete. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 17 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred at intersections in 2023, but the majority of intersection deaths nationwide involve vehicle occupants, not people on foot. Crashes like the one in Hidalgo County, where two vehicles collide after one fails to stop, make up a large share of that toll.
Intersection crashes also tend to produce more severe injuries than other urban crash types because vehicles strike each other from the side or at an angle, where there is less structure to absorb the impact compared to a head-on collision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an underride crash?
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partly beneath a larger truck or trailer during a collision, often because the truck's frame sits higher than the car's structural crumple zones.
What are common causes of large-truck crashes?
Factors often cited include driver fatigue, following too closely, blind spots, equipment failure, and other drivers misjudging a truck's stopping distance or turning radius.
How can drivers share the road safely with trucks?
Give trucks extra space when passing or merging, avoid lingering in blind spots, and expect longer stopping distances, especially at intersections.
Does driver fatigue contribute to truck crashes?
Yes. Fatigue is regularly cited as a factor in large-truck crashes, particularly those involving long-haul routes and tight delivery schedules.
What to Do After a Red Light Intersection Crash in Palmview, TX
If you're involved in an intersection crash, call 911 right away and stay in a safe spot until help arrives. Even if you feel fine, ask for a medical evaluation, since injuries from side-impact collisions aren't always immediately obvious.
Get the names and contact information of anyone involved, along with any witnesses nearby. If you're able, take photos of the vehicles, the intersection, and the traffic signals before anything is moved.
Request a copy of the official crash report once it's filed, and follow up with your insurance provider promptly. For families dealing with a loss like the one in Palmview, local victim services and grief support resources can also help in the days that follow.
