A.D. Ibarra
-International Bridge I
When reports came in of a pickup truck that had dangled off of International Bridge I before plunging back-first almost 40 feet below, it had to be seen to be believed. According to Eagle Pass Police Chief Alberto Guajardo, the accident occurred when a 1984 Ford F-150 hit a vehicle while coming back from Piedras Negras between 9:30 and 10:00 PM. The Ford driven by 80 year-old Fidencio Roque proceeded to crash into the chain link fence taking out an entire section of fence before hanging on a proverbial thread, an iron support wire which momentarily held the vehicle suspended in the air before giving way, snapping and causing the truck to fall to Shelby Park below.
Public Information Officer for the Eagle Pass Police Department Humberto O. Garza informed The News Gram that Roque struck a 1999 Ford Explorer driven by 51 year-old Carlos Rodriguez before hitting the fence along the pedestrian crossing and falling off of the bridge.
Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle swerving in a peculiar manner before invading Rodriguez' westbound lane and striking his vehicle.
Roque was attended to by US Border Patrol Officers who rendered aid before calling EPPD and EPFD EMT's who transported the man to Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center. According to Officer Garza, he was subsequently airlifted to a San Antonio hospital where his condition is critical but stable.
