Texas DPS releases crash report on collision involving county deputy

A crash report released on Sept. 2 by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) revealed more details on a collision between a Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputy and a civilian vehicle on Sunday, Aug. 24.

The crash occurred at 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Austin Street and Alcoa Drive between CCSO deputy Samantha Soloya, driving a 2025 Black Chevrolet Tahoe and Fekadu Gebreyohanes, driving a 2023 black Honda Civic. Myrka Gorham Torres was a passenger in the Honda Civic. A third vehicle, a 2012 gray Volkswagen Jetta driven by Pablo Gonzales Aviles, was also involved in the crash and listed as Unit 3 in the report.

“Unit 1, an emergency vehicle with emergency lights and sirens activated, responding to an emergency call, was travelling southwest on Austin Street approaching the stop and go signal controlled section of Alcoa Drive. Unit 2, travelling southeast on Alcoa Drive, was stopped at the red stop and go signal of the intersection of Austin Street. Unit 3 was travelling northwest on Austin Street, approaching the stop and go signal controlled intersection of the of Alcoa Drive,” the report read. 

According to the report, no alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident. Soloya and Gorham Torres were transported by ambulance to Citizens Medical Center in Victoria, and Gebreyohanes was airlifted to CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi. Gonzales Aviles was also taken to Memorial Medical Center. Gorham Torres, Soloya and Gonzales Aviles were transported by Calhoun County EMS. The report noted that none received significant injuries.

“The stop and go signal changed to green for the for Alcoa Drive, Unit 2 failed to yield right-of-way to an approaching emergency vehicle and entered the intersection. The stop and go signal changed to red for Austin Street and Unit 3 stopped at the intersection. Unit 1 disregarded the red stop and go signal, entered the intersection and struck, with its front end, the left side of Unit 2. Unit 2 spun and struck Unit 3. Unit 1 came to rest just south of the intersection, on Austin Street. Unit 2 came to rest in the intersection and Unit 3 pulled into a nearby parking lot.” 

DPS State Trooper Ruben San Miguel provided comment on the crash, citing a number of contributing factors that lead up to the collision. San Miguel stated that while Soloya was responding to a call regarding a bodily assault, proper safety protocols must still be followed.

“There were contributing factors on both sides,” San Miguel said. “The deputy had their lights on but she still had to show due regard to public safety. But Unit 2 failed to give right of way to an emergency vehicle. It’s a catch-22 situation; law enforcement needs to respond to emergencies as soon as possible, but the last thing we want is two emergencies.” 

Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has given no comment at this time.