Cristobal Stephan Garzez of Donna faced a jury beginning Monday May 11 in the death of 46-year-old tow operator David Zapata, struck on the expressway in Harlingen on July 8, 2025, according to KRGV and Valley Central. Garzez is charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, manslaughter, and possession of a controlled substance. The new indictment alleges the controlled substance to be fentanyl.
Operator takeaway
The Harlingen trial is the second high-profile Texas roadside-worker prosecution in the same window as the Pierre Innocent case in New Jersey. Track the verdict; the operator audience will read it the way they read the Thornton conviction.