Harlingen police received a call just after 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2020, regarding a hit-and-run accident that occurred at the intersection of Stuart Place Road and Interstate 2 Westbound Frontage Road. The accident involved an automobile and two pedestrians.
The victims in the accident were later identified as 20-year-old Leslie Huerta, who is still currently receiving medical treatment for the injuries sustained in the accident. The other victim was identified as five-year-old Angelina Huerta, who died from the injuries sustained in the accident.
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At 11:00 a.m., two hours following the accident, police located 42-year-old Jose Ricardo Trujillo of Harlingen at a home in Primera where his vehicle was located. The Primera police placed Trujillo under arrest for the accident and the death of Angelina Huerta.
Trujillo was arraigned on Monday for the accident and was formally charged with one count of accident involving death and one count of accident involving serious bodily injury.
An accident involving death is a second-degree felony in Texas. Under law, a second-degree felony is punishable by prison time in the amount of two to 20 years and fines up to $10,000.
An accident involving serious bodily injury is a third-degree felony in Texas. Under law, a third-degree felony is punishable by prison time ranging from two to ten years and a fine up to $10,000.
Trujillo was given a bond of $350,000 for both of the crimes he was charged with. The Harlingen Police Department is currently still investigating the circumstances of the accident.
The Harlingen Police Department Highway Enforcement Unit released a statement expressing their condolences for the family of the victims. They are reminding the citizens of Harlingen to phone in any suspicious activity into their local police departments or dial 911 in the case of an emergency.