Coyote in 'Serious Condition' Following Ozona Crash

OZONA, TX — The Texas DPS released more details of the tragic crash involving the smuggling of illegal migrants in Ozona on Monday night, March 13, 2023.

A DPS trooper was pursuing a 2021 Ram pickup after the driver, later identified as Rassian Natery Comer, 22, of Bossier City, Louisiana, refused to stop after being clocked by the trooper traveling above the speed limit.

As DPS pursued Comer at a high rate of speed eastbound on I-10, the trooper lost visual contact. The trooper ended his pursuit. Deputies from Crockett County in Ozona reacquired visual contact of Comer's Ram a short while afterward and began a new pursuit as Comer continued to flee.

Comer exited I-10 in Ozona at TX 163, the main crossroads in that town. Driving eastbound on the access road at a high rate of speed, Comer did not stop at the red light. Meanwhile, another Ram pickup was headed southbound through the intersection. Driving it was Maria Alvarez Tambunga, 71, of Ozona. In the passenger seat was her seven-year-old granddaughter, Emilia Tambunga. We learned the granddaughter's name in the obituary as DPS does not release the names of minors in its reports.

Comer had two passengers in the cab of his Ram truck, both illegal migrants. In addition, 9 more illegal migrants were packed into the bed of his pickup. Except for Comer, all cab occupants of both Ram trucks were killed and pronounced dead by Crockett County Justice of the Peace Angelina Ramos.

Comer was transported to Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, where is is in serious condition. DPS said that charges are pending against Comer for his actions that night.

The entire town of Ozona is mourning the death of Ms. Tambungua and her granddaughter, seven-year-old Emilia.

The crash happened at 8:24 p.m. Monday night. The roadway was dry and the skies were clear.

DPS did not detail injuries suffered by the nine souls in the back of Comer's pickup, if any. From reports, we assumed that Comer was smuggling the illegal migrants and acting as their coyote. Ozona is located about 85 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.