Texas Border Business
On April 19, 2025, around noon, a fatal collision occurred on FM 1421 near Road 233, just south of Russelltown in San Benito. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), 70-year-old San Benito resident Lorenzo Guajardo was driving a blue Chevrolet Aveo when he slowed to make a left turn. A red Kenworth semi-tractor-trailer, driven by 39-year-old Luis Fernando González Altamirano, struck the vehicle from behind. DPS confirmed that Altamirano was texting while driving and failed to control his speed, causing the Aveo to roll over.
Guajardo was transported to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, where he later died of his injuries. An obituary confirmed he passed away the same day, leaving behind two children, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, his mother, and several siblings. https://www.garzamemorialfh.com/obituary/Lorenzo-Guajardo?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Altamirano, a Mexican national, was arrested at the scene and charged with criminally negligent homicide. As reported by San Benito News, bond was set at $500,000, and he was booked into the Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center, where he awaits arraignment. KRGV-TV5 also reported that DPS investigators confirmed Altamirano was texting at the time of the crash. CDLLife noted the rollover impact underlines the severity of the crash. https://cdllife.com/2025/dps-driver-was-texting-and-driving-before-fatal-accident-landing-him-criminal-negligent-homicide-charges/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
In the days following the tragedy, Guajardo’s daughter, Corina Gaona, who resides in Dripping Springs, traveled to San Benito to make funeral arrangements. She later reported a troubling series of unsolicited contacts.
According to a sworn affidavit filed on August 22, 2025, before the Municipal Court of Brownsville, Detective Erick Amaro (#8853) stated that Gaona “received numerous amounts of calls from a ‘non-profit’ organization who wished to help her” starting on April 20, just one day after her father’s death.
The affidavit identifies one of the callers as Melinda Muraida Flores, who introduced herself as “Melinda with TX Community Partners.” On April 21, Flores texted Gaona, “Hi, this is Melinda with TX community partners and I’m here if you need anything,” attaching a website link. Gaona told investigators she initially believed Flores represented a non-profit. (Under that name, there’s no indication in reliable public records or reputable sources that such a nonprofit exists under that exact name.)
However, by April 22, the texts included a direct link to almarazlaw.com, promoting attorney services. Flores wrote, “He’s amazing and from personal experience he will do his best for your family,” according to the affidavit.
A second number, later traced to Heberto Lopez (DOB 08/08/1982), an employee of the Almaraz Law Firm in Brownsville, also began contacting Gaona. On April 22, Lopez texted her, “I’m working n helping you with the opening and closing cost,” later following up with, “I hate to keep bothering just wanted to know if you’re going to give me the opportunity to speak with you.”
On April 24, during Guajardo’s funeral service, Lopez arrived in person. Investigators observed him unloading refreshments from a beige Cadillac Escalade registered to Rosendo Almaraz Jr. A folder labeled “Almaraz Law Firm” was seen on the passenger seat. Lopez handed over bread and drinks to the family and reiterated his offer of help.
Detective Amaro concluded in his affidavit: “After further investigation it was determined that Heberto being employed by a law firm, with intent to obtain an economic benefit for said law firm, pays or gives or offers to pay or give a person money or anything of value to solicit employment. Therefore committing the offense of Barratry under the Texas Penal Code section 38.12(f), a 3rd degree felony.”
The complaint was formally sworn before the Municipal Court Judge of Brownsville, Cameron County, on August 22, 2025.
The events have left the Guajardo family dealing with dual hardships: the sudden loss of a loved one and the pressure of unsolicited legal solicitations during their mourning. As Corina Gaona told investigators, her family “had their own attorney and at no point were the services of other attorneys requested.”
As of this report, Luis Fernando González Altamirano remains in custody on criminally negligent homicide charges, and Heberto Lopez faces barratry allegations, marking a tragic and complex aftermath to the April 19 crash that claimed the life of Lorenzo Guajardo.
See complaint below:
