Tragic Overnight Crash in Corpus Christi Claims Life of 74-Year-Old Woman; Children Among the Injured
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A devastating early morning crash on Monday has left one woman dead and three others hospitalized, including two young children. The Texas Highway Patrol confirmed that the collision occurred at approximately 12:42 a.m. on U.S. Highway 77 near State Highway 89, just north of Corpus Christi.
According to investigators, 79-year-old Gregorio Magallan Rios was behind the wheel of a 2021 Honda Accord, traveling southbound on US 77 when he failed to maintain a single lane. This loss of control caused the vehicle to veer off the roadway, collide with a highway sign, and roll over due to the force of the impact.
Tragically, 74-year-old Hilda Montes, a passenger in the vehicle and a longtime resident of Corpus Christi, sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her sudden passing has left her family, friends, and community reeling with shock and heartbreak.
Also in the vehicle at the time were two children, a five-year-old and a two-year-old. Both sustained injuries in the crash. Emergency responders arrived swiftly and transported the children and the driver, Mr. Rios, to local hospitals for medical treatment. At this time, the conditions of the children and Mr. Rios have not been publicly disclosed, though authorities have indicated the injuries were serious enough to warrant immediate medical attention.
The crash site was closed off to traffic in the early hours of Monday morning as troopers from the Sinton division of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) worked to investigate and document the scene. Skid marks, debris, and the damaged highway sign all bore silent testimony to the violent nature of the crash.
Troopers continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the rollover, including whether fatigue, distraction, or another factor contributed to Mr. Rios’s failure to stay in his lane. No charges have been announced at this time, and authorities have not confirmed whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision.
The news of Hilda Montes’s death has left a void in the Corpus Christi community. Friends and loved ones describe her as a woman of deep warmth, unwavering love for her family, and a gentle spirit. It is especially devastating that the crash also involved children, underscoring the fragility of life and the importance of road safety at all times, even in the early hours of the morning.
As families await updates from the hospital and investigators work to determine the full cause of the crash, community members are rallying around the survivors. Messages of condolences and support have begun to pour in for the Montes family, as many struggle to comprehend the sudden loss of a woman so dear to many.
The Texas Highway Patrol urges drivers to stay alert and cautious at all times, especially during night travel when visibility and reaction time are diminished. Maintaining safe speeds, staying in designated lanes, and avoiding distractions can mean the difference between life and death on the road.
Further updates regarding the conditions of the injured and any potential legal consequences will be released by the DPS as the investigation progresses.
As we reflect on this tragic incident, our thoughts are with the family of Hilda Montes, the injured children, and all those affected by this he
