GoFundMe – On Sunday, January 18, 2026, a fatal hit-and-run accident occurred on the east side of Yoakum, Texas. The victim, 30-year-old Emilio Garcia, was struck by a vehicle on East Hugo Street, near its intersection with South Cooper Street, an area of town that includes residential properties and open fields.
The Yoakum Police Department responded to the scene after receiving a report of a person lying in the roadway. When officers arrived, they discovered Emilio Garcia deceased. Based on the evidence and a preliminary investigation, authorities determined that Garcia had been struck by a vehicle that did not remain at the scene. Disturbingly, police estimated that Garcia may have been left injured or deceased on the roadside for well over an hour before the incident was reported.
Investigators quickly located a vehicle of interest connected to the crash. The suspected vehicle was taken into police custody for a thorough forensic examination. This analysis, which includes processing for physical evidence, is crucial for identifying the specific driver responsible for striking Garcia and fleeing the scene.
The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the ongoing investigation. Authorities are actively working to piece together the events leading up to the collision and to identify the driver involved. They are appealing to the public for any information, dashcam footage, or surveillance video from the area of East Hugo and South Cooper Streets during the late hours of Saturday, January 17, or the early morning of Sunday, January 18.
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Emilio Garcia’s family with funeral expenses and other immediate needs during this devastating time. The Lavaca County Crime Stoppers is offering a potential cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.
Anyone with knowledge of the incident is urged to contact them anonymously at 361-549-3700. The community of Yoakum is mourning the loss of a young man whose life was tragically cut short in a senseless act.