Authorities are investigating a deadly single-vehicle accident that claimed the life of a South Texas woman Friday afternoon along U.S. Highway 277, about eight miles east of Eagle Pass. The crash occurred around 3 p.m. and prompted a large emergency response from local and state agencies.
Smantha Serna Car Accident
According to preliminary findings from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the vehicle involved was a 2005 white Chevrolet Silverado traveling westbound when its left rear tire blew out. The sudden blowout caused the driver to lose control, sending the pickup off the roadway and into a ditch, where it overturned before coming to rest upright against a private fence. Three of the four occupants were ejected during the rollover.
Emergency crews from Eagle Pass Police, DPS, and multiple medical agencies responded swiftly. The driver was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital, while two passengers were airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio for treatment of serious injuries. The fourth passenger, 31-year-old Smantha Serna of Roma, Texas, was flown to Brooke Army Medical Center, where she was later pronounced deceased.
The accident temporarily shut down portions of U.S. 277 as helicopters landed to transport the injured. Authorities commended the rapid coordination of first responders, which they said likely prevented further loss of life. DPS officials stated that their ongoing investigation will examine the condition of the tires, vehicle maintenance records, and roadway conditions to determine contributing factors in the crash.
Community members have expressed shock and sadness over the fatal incident. Friends described Serna as a kind and hardworking woman who will be deeply missed. Local leaders have urged motorists to regularly inspect their vehicles and tires, especially before long drives, emphasizing that tire failures remain a leading cause of rollovers and ejections on Texas highways.
The Texas Department of Public Safety continues to investigate the crash and asks anyone with information to contact their Eagle Pass office. Authorities say the findings will help guide future safety measures and awareness campaigns aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
