High-Speed Chase Ends in Llano River Crash, Human Smuggler Sentenced for Death of Migrant

KIMBLE COUNTY, TX — The deadly consequences of human smuggling were on full display in October 2022 when a high-speed police chase ended in tragedy in the South Llano River near Junction. A Kimble County jury this year found Ruben Fernandez Sandoval, 42, of Austin, guilty of Human Smuggling Causing Death, and he was sentenced to 99 years in prison.

The case stemmed from a high-speed pursuit that began after Sandoval picked up five undocumented migrants near Brackettville. He fled from a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, reaching speeds over 90 mph while traveling north on U.S. 377 between Rocksprings and Junction. After a 34-mile chase, Sandoval lost control and rolled his truck into the river.

One of the migrants, Jorge Moreno Lopez of Guatemala, drowned inside the overturned cab. The other four passengers and Sandoval were rescued thanks to the efforts of DPS Trooper Justin Derr, the Kimble and Edwards County sheriff’s offices, Junction Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, and Kimble County EMS. Three of the survivors later testified about their injuries and the crash.

Retired Judge Stephen Ellis, sitting by assignment, handed down the sentence on Feb. 28 after a four-day trial.

In addition to the charge of Human Smuggling Causing Death, Sandoval was convicted of three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and three counts of Human Smuggling with Risk of Serious Bodily Injury or Death. He received 20-year sentences for each of those six counts. Because a deadly weapon was used, Sandoval must serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole.

The case was prosecuted by the 452nd District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Tonya Spaeth Ahlschwede and Assistant District Attorneys Havana Schmidt and Andy Murr.

During sentencing, Schmidt requested a life sentence for the death charge and 20 years for each of the other convictions, arguing that a strong message needed to be sent: “This kind of crime shouldn’t happen here or anywhere.” Judge Ellis agreed, noting that more deaths were avoided “only by the grace of God.”

“This is the first Human Smuggling Causing Death trial of its kind that we are aware of in the State of Texas,” said DA Ahlschwede. “Thanks to the quick and unwavering response from law enforcement, lives were saved that morning. Ultimately, this case was about money—money the defendant valued more than human life. The surviving victims and the widow of the deceased felt that justice was served.”