NEWS Staff Report
Area authorities continue investigating several unrelated incidents that occurred locally during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods.
Tragedy struck the San Benito area on Christmas Eve when a 73-year-old woman died in an auto-pedestrian collision, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The deceased was later identified by DPS as Elena Silva of San Benito. A DPS statement confirmed that the incident occurred on Wednesday, Christmas Eve, at around 6:30 p.m. on State Highway 345 and Castillo Rd., just outside the San Benito city limits.
According to DPS, a red Nissan Sentra was traveling northeast-bound on State Highway 345 when Silva allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way while attempting to re-enter the highway.
Silvia was struck by the Nissan and died at the scene, according to a DPS media release. The driver stopped to render aid, according to DPS.
Area residents are concerned about the area due to the usually high number of vehicular incidents, according to social media comments.
Local authorities have been urged to take immediate action to address these concerns.
Potential measures could include installing improved signage, increasing crosswalk visibility, or adding pedestrian signals to prevent such a tragedy from being repeated.
Pedestrians are encouraged to use designated crossing points and ensure they have the right of way before stepping onto the roadway. Similarly, drivers must remain vigilant and adhere to speed limits, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic.
The investigation is ongoing.
In a separate New Year’s Eve incident, a San Benito family lost their home to a fire last Wednesday afternoon.
The Gonzalez family on Pennsylvania Avenue lost their home in a house fire. They resided in the home for some three decades, according to reports.
According to Mando Gonzalez, his parents were living alone in the home when it caught fire while the family was attending New Year’s Eve church service. Multiple fire departments were called to fight the blaze.
The son noted that his parents are staying with relatives for the time being and are receiving positive support from neighbors, friends, and family.
In a final-third incident that drew the public’s attention over the holidays, multiple law enforcement agencies responded Sunday afternoon to what appeared to be a “suspicious device” in San Benito.
A concerned citizen reported to police what appeared to be an “explosive device” in an empty lot behind a Stripes store on Expressway 77.
According to San Benito Police Chief Mario Perea, when police arrived at the scene, an officer discovered the device and contacted the Brownsville Police Department and the Brownsville Bomb Squad for assistance.
When the bomb squad retrieved the device, they confirmed it was a World War II-era mortar; however, it was not a live round, according to Perea.
The bomb squad took the device to dispose of it safely and no one was harmed during the incident.
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