Texas man charged with smuggling, evading arrest after high-speed chase

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Published  October 11, 2025 7:16pm CDT
FOX 7 Austin

Photo: Julie Zweig (FOX 7 Austin)

The Brief

    • A suspected smuggler led Texas DPS troopers on a high-speed chase in Webb County before crashing into a pole.
    • The driver, identified as Jose Ramon Ibarra of Austin, was arrested and charged with smuggling people, evading arrest, and drug possession.
    • Before the chase, multiple individuals bailed out of the truck; Border Patrol apprehended one person.

WEBB COUNTY, Texas - On October 7, 2025, a suspected smuggler driving a Dodge pickup led Texas Department of Public Safety troopers on a high-speed pursuit along US-83 in Webb County. 

What we know:

According to Texas DPS, before the chase began, the driver allowed multiple illegal immigrants to bail out from the vehicle. The driver continued to evade but ultimately crashed into a light pole and tried to flee on foot. 

COURTESY: Texas DPS South Texas Region
COURTESY: Texas DPS South Texas Region

Troopers quickly chased him down and arrested Jose Ramon Ibarra of Austin, Texas. Ibarra is charged with smuggling of people, evading arrest, and possession of marijuana.

COURTESY: Texas DPS South Texas Region

Dig deeper:

U.S. Border Patrol assisted and apprehended one illegal immigrant.

This incident is part of Operation Lone Star 2.0, targeting criminal activity along the Texas-Mexico border.

The Source: Information in this article was provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety — South Texas Region.

Crime and Public SafetyTexasImmigrationU.S. Border Security