Tragic Head-On Collision Claims Lives of Two Zapata First Responders in Hebbronville

HEBBRONVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A devastating head-on collision involving an ambulance in Hebbronville has resulted in the tragic loss of two Zapata first responders on Wednesday. The incident occurred on State Highway 16 at approximately 5 a.m., prompting the Department of Public Safety to respond to the scene.

The collision involved a white 2016 GMC Sierra and a 2016 Chevrolet ambulance owned by Victorious Care. The driver of the GMC Sierra has been identified as 27-year-old Jaime Barrera Jr., hailing from Roma.

The ambulance driver was identified as 66-year-old Andres Botello from Zapata, while the passenger was named as 23-year-old Jose Guadalupe Cepeda Lara, also from Zapata.

According to the Department of Public Safety’s preliminary investigation, it was determined that Barrera was traveling westbound, while the ambulance was headed east on State Highway 16. Tragically, Barrera failed to maintain his lane and crossed over into the eastbound lane, resulting in a devastating head-on collision with the ambulance.

Regrettably, all three individuals involved in the crash lost their lives at the scene of the accident.