McALLEN – A night out turned deadly in the early hours of Saturday, November 29, 2025, when a Ford Bronco packed with seven young people crashed and rolled on North Bicentennial Boulevard, claiming the life of 25-year-old Jacob Rodriguez of Edinburg.
McAllen police say the SUV, driven by 18-year-old Gabriela Nunez Garcia, veered off the roadway near the Edinburg city limit around 2:08 a.m. and slammed into a large stone fixture. The impact sent the Bronco tumbling, ejecting several passengers.
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Rodriguez, who was riding as a passenger, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The six other occupants, all between 18 and 25, were rushed to area hospitals with injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to broken bones. None are considered life-threatening.
Officers at the scene detected signs of alcohol impairment and took Garcia into custody. She now faces possible intoxication manslaughter charges, a second-degree felony that carries up to 20 years in prison. Formal charges are expected as early as this week once toxicology results return.
“Seven kids in one vehicle, late at night, after what appears to have been drinking—this is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez (no relation to the victim). “One decision took a young man’s life and forever changed six others.”
Friends remembered Jacob Rodriguez as the guy who could light up any room with his laugh and always had your back.
“He had just started a new job, was talking about buying a house, had his whole life ahead of him,” childhood friend Isaiah Garcia posted online. “Gone because someone chose to get behind the wheel impaired.”
A makeshift memorial of flowers, candles, and Edinburg Bobcat memorabilia now lines the crash site. A GoFundMe organized by the family has already surpassed $40,000 to help with funeral expenses.
McAllen PD and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) plan a weekend safety checkpoint on the same stretch of Bicentennial Boulevard in Jacob’s memory.
Anyone who witnessed the Bronco before the crash is urged to call McAllen Crime Stoppers at 956-681-2477.