McAllen man charged in fatal crash that killed Cameron County deputy constable

TThe Texas Department of Public Safety has charged a 47-year-old McAllen man in connection with the crash that killed a Cameron County Precinct 1 deputy constable.

In a news release, DPS said Jesse Edward Leatherwood has been charged with manslaughter He struck and killed deputy police officer Ruben Garciaof Brownsville that caused an accident on State Highway 48 near Marine Way Road around 6:45 p.m. Monday.

Cameron County Jail records show he is also charged with falsifying a drug test.

Garcia was struck while assisting DPS with another accident when a white Chevrolet Silverado struck his patrol vehicle from behind.

DPS initially said Leatherwood told them he was looking at his phone at the time of the crash and that investigators suspected he was drunk.

It is unclear whether he was drunk as the involuntary manslaughter charge does not reflect this. However, DPS said it received a warrant for a blood draw.

In an update Thursday, DPS did not mention intoxication or Leatherwood's alleged statement that he was distracted by his phone.

Leatherwood remains held at the Cameron County Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center.