Overview
- Joshua Orta, 25, died in a San Antonio highway crash that police say involved high speed on an exit, a collision with a utility pole, and a vehicle fire.
- Orta was the passenger when Homeland Security Investigations personnel fatally shot 23-year-old Ruben Ray Martinez on March 15, 2025, in South Padre Island.
- He had given a draft affidavit stating the car was barely moving, that Martinez did not strike anyone, and that an agent fired at close range without warning, and he planned to sign and cooperate with investigators.
- DHS maintains Martinez intentionally ran over an HSI agent and says another agent fired defensive shots, while the Texas Rangers continue an active investigation.
- Martinez’s family is preparing a wrongful-death suit and pressing for the release of evidence after ICE’s role became public months later through records requests.