Mission woman dies, two hurt in Palmhurst crash

PALMHURST — A Mission woman died Sunday morning after she was ejected from a car that crashed into a retaining wall, police said.

The single-vehicle collision occurred after a silver 2003 Lincoln LS sedan apparently lost control and slammed into a retaining wall along Mile Three Road, between Shary and Glasscock roads, Palmhurst Police Chief Michael Vela said.

Monica Garcia, 28, was ejected from the car and died at the accident scene.

A second woman was ejected from the vehicle, as well. She remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Neither woman was wearing their seat belt, Vela said.

The driver, 29-year-old Alfonso Alvarez, was also sent to the hospital and was in stable condition Monday morning, police said. Officers are waiting for results from a sample of Alvarez’s blood to see if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.

Police said the Lincoln was headed west along Mile 3 Road when Alvarez apparently lost control and slammed into a retaining wall near a subdivision about 3 a.m. Sunday.

The fatal crash was the sixth auto fatality in Hidalgo County in eight days.

“Unfortunately, it happens,” Vela said.

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Jared Taylor covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4439.