EDINBURG, Texas: A late-night drive turned deadly at a busy South Texas intersection, leaving one woman dead and several children injured after an alleged intoxicated driver ran a red light.
The crash happened Saturday night at the intersection of Salinas Street and West Monte Cristo Road. Police say a westbound vehicle driven by 31-year-old Miguel Angel Suarez allegedly ignored a red light and slammed into another car entering the intersection.
Inside that second vehicle was 39-year-old Martha Luna Miranda, a mother driving with her family. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her life ended instantly in the violent impact that investigators say could have been avoided.
Also inside the car were her husband and three children. The children were a 9-year-old boy, a 5-year-old boy, and a 4-year-old girl. What was meant to be a routine trip became a moment that split a family’s life into before and after.
Miranda’s husband was seated in the front passenger seat. He survived the crash with non-life-threatening injuries and was later released from the hospital. The 4-year-old girl was also treated and discharged.
The two boys, ages 9 and 5, were more seriously hurt. They were transported to a hospital in San Antonio for further medical care. Their conditions have not been fully detailed, but authorities confirmed they needed additional treatment.
Police identified Miguel Angel Suarez as the driver of the other vehicle. He is expected to face charges including intoxication manslaughter and four counts of intoxication assault. Officials said formal charges are still pending and no arraignment date has been set.
Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala called the crash a devastating loss, especially because children were involved. He urged drivers to make safer choices, stressing the importance of planning ahead, using a designated driver, and never getting behind the wheel while impaired.
The investigation remains active as authorities continue to piece together exactly how the crash unfolded and what led to the deadly impact.
