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A community is mourning and a family is left shattered following the tragic death of David Zapata, a dedicated tow truck operator who was killed in the line of duty in Harlingen, Texas.
The fatal incident occurred during the early morning hours of Sunday, when Zapata was struck and killed in a hit-and-run while assisting a stranded vehicle along a dark stretch of the highway.
The suspect, who fled the scene, has since been arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid. David Zapata was known among friends, family, and coworkers as a hardworking and selfless man.
As a tow truck operator, he often worked long, unpredictable hours, responding to calls at all times of day and night to help stranded motorists. On the night of the incident, Zapata was performing a routine — yet dangerous — part of his job, assisting a driver in distress when tragedy struck.
According to local law enforcement, Zapata had stepped out of his tow truck and was securing the disabled vehicle when a passing motorist veered off the road and struck him. The driver did not stop to render aid.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Zapata succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He was 45 years old. Following a swift investigation, authorities located and arrested the suspected driver, who was identified as a 26-year-old man from the Harlingen area.
Police confirmed that the suspect was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He now faces multiple charges, including intoxication manslaughter, failure to stop and render aid resulting in death, and driving while intoxicated.
Zapata’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief from the local community and among fellow tow truck operators across the state. Many have taken to social media to share condolences, memories, and calls for greater awareness of the dangers faced by roadside workers. “He was doing his job — helping people,” one friend wrote. “David didn’t deserve this. No one in his position does.”
Tow truck operators, like other roadside emergency personnel, are often placed in perilous situations as they work close to high-speed traffic with minimal protection. Zapata’s death is a painful reminder of the real and present dangers these workers face every day.
David Zapata is survived by his wife and three children. Family members described him as a devoted husband and a loving father who always made time for his kids despite the demands of his job.
“He was the kind of man who would drop everything to help someone, even a stranger,” his wife shared through tears. “We lost the heart of our family.”
In the wake of the tragedy, local officials and advocacy groups are urging drivers to slow down and move over when passing emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or any vehicle stopped on the shoulder.
Texas law requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights — a regulation often ignored or misunderstood by the public.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help support the Zapata family with funeral expenses and ongoing financial needs. The community has responded generously, with donations pouring in alongside messages of support and solidarity.
David Zapata’s death is not just a personal tragedy — it is a call to action. As his family prepares to lay him to rest, fellow tow operators and emergency responders are rallying for increased awareness and respect for those who work on the front lines of roadside safety.
Zapata will be remembered not just for how he died, but for how he lived — with courage, compassion, and a commitment to serving others, even in the most hazardous of circumstances.
