The Garland Police Department has reported an ongoing investigation into a recent incident that ended tragically. On Wednesday, shortly before 10:30 PM, an officer observed a driver behaving suspiciously on the East I-30 Highway near Bass Pro Drive. The vehicle had come to a halt on the roadway before reversing, prompting the officer to engage his emergency lights out of concern for the driver's welfare. Instead of cooperating, the driver sped off, leading to a pursuit eastbound on I-30.
According to a social media post from Garland Police Department, the driver, identified as 30-year-old Jose Andrew Ybarra from Mt. Vernon, Texas, drove erratically, accelerating and decelerating unpredictably and weaving through traffic lanes. In a frantic attempt to evade, Ybarra abandoned the moving vehicle to flee on foot. His actions culminated in a jump from the bridge into the waters of Lake Ray Hubbard, with the vehicle coming to rest only after hitting a barrier.
Rescue teams from the Dallas Police Department and the Rowlett Police Department responded to the scene to assist in the search. Unfortunately, Ybarra was found deceased in the lake. Despite the initial withholding of the driver's identity, pending next-of-kin notification, the Garland Police later released his name following the recovery.
