Mertzon Highway Fatal Hit and Run Suspect Indicted

SAN ANGELO, TX – A Tom Green County Grand Jury indicted 23-year-old Esgar Eliseo Navarro on a charge of Accident Involving Death after it was determined he intentionally and knowingly drove a vehicle that was involved in an accident which resulted in the death of a pedestrian, where the defendant failed to stop and render aid to the victim when it was apparent that the victim was in need of serious medical treatment.

As previously reported, on May 31, 2020 at approximately 2:29 a.m. Deputies with the Tom Green County Sheriffs Officer were dispatched to a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on US Highway 67 South approximately two miles southwest of San Angelo city limits.

Upon arrival Deputies found that a male subject was deceased in the westbound lane of traffic on US Highway 67.

Based upon evidence gathered from the scene, investigators determined that it appeared the male subject was walking eastbound in the westbound lane of traffic when he was struck an killed by an unknown vehicle. 

Video surveillance footage was pulled from a local business near the scene of the hit and run that showed the driver of the vehicle failing to stop, and continuing traveling southwest bound. 

Additional evidence found at the scene included several black paint chips, various unknown vehicle parts, and even a Chevrolet 'bowtie' emblem. 

On June 3, 2020, investigators were reviewing surveillance footage from Grogan's Farm and Ranch Store and observed footage of the black in color pickup truck at approximately 2:23 a.m. on May 31, 2020 driving past the store traveling westbound. 

As their investigation continued investigators with the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office drove to Mertzon, in Irion County in an attempt to possibly locate any additional evidence, or footage of the pickup.

While in Irion County, TGSO officials located a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at the Mertzon RV Park which appeared to have significant front end damage after noticing the hood and grille of the vehicle had been removed. 

Upon further investigation, blood splatter evidence was found under the pickup and on several parts of the vehicle including the hood and grille which had previously been covered by a tarp according to investigators. 

After speaking with a witness from the Mertzon RV Park, TGCSO Officials were able to determine that the vehicle in question was previously seen on May 29 and May 30 at the RV Park, however no exterior damaged was reportedly seen on the vehicle at the time.

Later that day a search warrant was issued for the Chevrolet pickup where investigators collected blood spatter evidence that was later confirmed in a presumptive blood test to match the DNA of the victim who succumbed to his injuries at the scene. 

Shortly after his arrest, 23-year-old Esgar Eliseo Navarro was interviewed by TXDPS officials where he ultimately admitted to driving the black Chevrolet pickup that caused the death of the victim on May 31, 2020 after driving away from the scene of an accident without stopping to check on the well-being of the victim. 

According to the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office, Navarro was arrested and booked into the Tom Green County jail on June 3 at 7:30 p.m. where he has been held on the sole charge of Accident Involving Death carrying approximately $50,000.00 in bond. 

Charges associated with Navarro's arrest include; Accident Involving Death : Second Degree Felony in the state of Texas punishable by up to 2 to 10 years imprisonment in a state prison.