A tragic turn of events unfolded earlier this month on a quiet Austin street, resulting in one individual facing serious charges and a community mourning the loss of a young life. On May 11, Erica Garza, a Hispanic female born on October 30, 2004, was struck alongside two others in a traffic incident. The Austin Police Department responded to reports at approximately 4:59 a.m. in the 700 block of E 7th St. The driver involved initially fled the scene.
Following the collision, Garza sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital, along with two males who suffered minor injuries. Garza's struggle came to a heartbreaking close when she was pronounced dead on May 16. In an update released by The City of Austin's official website, Lily Bao Do, a 28-year-old Asian female, has surrendered herself in connection with the fatality. She faces charges of Collision Involving Death and Collision Involving Injury, reflecting the gravity of consequences born from that early morning tragedy.
This incident marked Austin's 30th fatal crash of the year, pushing the 2025 fatality count to 34 lives lost. In comparison, records from the same date in the previous year count 26 fatal crashes, leading to the same number of deaths. The upward trend in numbers is a somber reminder of the ongoing risks present on the city's thoroughfares.
The community is now left to grapple with the implications of this incident, as authorities continue their investigation. Anyone with information related to the May 11 crash is encouraged to contact the Austin Police Department's Vehicular Homicide unit or to submit an anonymous tip through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program. Indications are, the pursuit of justice and closure remains a collaborative effort between law enforcement and the public.
