Raquel Delgado Chavez, a 39-year-old resident of Fabens, Texas, was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison today for her role in a fatal car crash that resulted in the death of a Mexican citizen she was transporting within the U.S. illegally. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Leigha Simonton.
In July, Delgado Chavez pleaded guilty to the charge of transportation of an illegal alien resulting in death. The sentencing took place before U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.
The incident occurred on November 25, 2022, when a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash in Lynn County. At the scene, a Mexican citizen was found dead, having been ejected from the vehicle during the accident. The medical examiner reported blunt force injuries to the head, neck, torso, and extremities, along with multiple rib fractures.
On November 26, 2022, the Lynn County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call about two individuals walking on US 380. A deputy responded and discovered a Hispanic male and Ms. Chavez with injuries believed to be connected to the rollover crash. Both were transported to Lynn County Hospital for medical attention.
During the investigation, Ms. Chavez admitted to contacting a Mexican phone number for directions to a truck location in El Paso. Upon arrival, she found passengers already inside the truck, whom she did not know. Ms. Chavez acknowledged her awareness that the passengers were illegal aliens and that her task was to drive them to Dallas.
While driving, Ms. Chavez moved over on the highway to allow another vehicle to pass, resulting in the truck flipping. She and the passengers fled the vehicle, and she admitted to running out of fear. Ms. Chavez reported witnessing a man pinned under the overturned truck.
