Occurred on 7/4/12, 3:02 am  Accident  1207040025/C1205096 

Officers responded to the Packery Channel where a witness reported a gray Mazda Tribute was driving toward the jetties, but failed to stop and launched the vehicle into the water.  Two Hispanic males were seen swimming towards shore approximately 20 feet from the vehicle’s location. 

The men told the witness they were the only ones in the SUV and left.  Officers searched the area, but both men were nowhere to be found.  Shortly thereafter, a supervisor was waved down at the Stripes Convenience Store located at 14526 S. Padre Island Drive and told both the driver and the passenger was inside the store. 

Both 19-year-old’s were both found to be sober and identified.  They were both released pending further investigation.  The driver could face a charge of Duty on Striking Fixture/Hwy Landscaping, a Class “B” Misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. 

Later that morning at approximately 8:00 am, the vehicle was removed from the water by the Police Department’s Dive Team.  The vehicle was unoccupied and confirmed the driver and passenger’s account.   Representatives of The Texas General Land Office, the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Packery Patrol were present during the removal of the vehicle.