The musician son of a long-time popular radio and television pioneer is grieving the loss of his son who perished Tuesday night on a lonely stretch of road south of Sarita after the truck both had been riding ran out of gas and was struck from behind by a tuck tractor.
Fernando Benavides Jr., 47, was pronounced dead at the scene. Benavides Jr., the son of Fernando Benavides Sr., a former Porter High School teacher and well-known musician with the Nozotroz Band in Brownsville, was apparently ejected through the front windshield on impact and then run over by the truck tractor traveling south on US 77.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers reported that he was pronounced dead at the scene. His father Fernando Benavides Sr. was hospitalized but is now back in Brownsville and is expected to recover from his injuries.
Fernando Benavides Sr. is the son of the late Ruben Benavides – a South Texas pioneer radio and television show personality. One of his brothers, the late Pete Benavides, was married to Cameron County Pct. 1 Commissioner Sofia Benavides.
DPS troopers said that the driver of the truck tractor – whose identity was not known – was also killed when the truck overturned on impact, skidded on the road, caught fire, and he was trapped inside the burning wreck.
The driver of the truck tractor apparently veered off the roadway and rammed into the parked Tahoe, causing Fernando Jr. to be ejected.
The accident occurred late Tuesday about 17 miles south of Sarita in Kenedy County on U.S. Highway 77.
DPS spokesman Sgt. Nathan Brandley said the accident occurred at about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the tractor truck struck the Chevrolet Tahoe and that Fernando Jr. was in the driver's seat. The Tahoe was towing a utility trailer and was parked on the shoulder of the road after running out of gas.
Fernando Sr. was transported to Spohn Kleberg Hospital, but is now back in Brownsville recovering from his injuries. He is expected to recover.
Benavidez Jr. had returned to Brownsville and he and his father had towed the utility trailer to move his belongings to Houston, where he was going to start working.
DPS troopers are continuing their investigation.
DPS troopers are continuing their investigation.
We extend our condolences to his family.
3 comments:
Condolences to the Benavides family. May he rest in peace.
This was another Fernando Benavides, Jr. of PA. Same name, different men. Please fix this mistake for both families sake.
Montoya...you were correct with the information. We can not believe this.
This is a tragedy for all of us.
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