Driver from fatal crash on Ed Carey charged with murder

HARLINGEN — The driver of a pickup involved in a police pursuit that ended Thursday with a fatal crash has been charged with murder, police said Friday.
Police said Eric Christopher Gonzalez, 31, of Rio Hondo, the driver of a pickup that was pursued by police, has been charged in connection with the death of 44-year-old Maria Delaluz of Harlingen.
Gonzalez is being held at the Harlingen City Jail on charges of murder, aggravated assault, felon in possession of a weapon, evading arrest and possession of marijuana.
Court records state that his bond was set at $1.18 million.
Police said Delaluz was a passenger in a Nissan Altima that was being driven by her husband, Javier Osorino Ibarra, 50.
According to a police statement, Gonzalez refused to stop for police who had him under surveillance and observed him commit a traffic violation.
Police pursued Gonzalez until his pickup struck the Altima at the intersection of Ed Carey Drive and the Expressway 77/83 frontage road, police said.
According to a police department press release, Ibarra remains at Valley Baptist Medical Center receiving treatment for his injuries received in Thursday’s crash.
Police also stated that Nydia Gonzalez, 27, also of Rio Hondo, was a passenger in Gonzalez’s pickup.
She is being held on possession of marijuana charges with bail set at $500,000.
Police spokesman Sgt. John Parrish said investigators found about a half pound of marijuana and a loaded handgun inside Gonzalez’s pickup.
Another pound of marijuana that Parrish said is connected to Gonzalez was seized at a local residence, which police didn’t identify.
Parrish said that information regarding HPD’s pursuit policy is available through the office of chief of police, but as of Friday evening, no information could be obtained.