One Killed, One Arrested In Suspected Highway Racing Incident

Published on January 02, 2023

By Tim Ciesco

On Sunday, January 1, 2023, at approximately 5:14 p.m., the Arlington Police Department responded to the westbound lanes of I-30 near Fielder Road to investigate a single-vehicle wreck. When officers arrived on scene, they located a white Infiniti sedan that had left the roadway, gone down an embankment, and landed on its roof in a body of water below the highway.

There were two adult males inside the vehicle. Because the car was partially submerged, Arlington Fire Department dive crews responded to the scene to assist first responders who were trying to get to them. Rescue crews were ultimately able to pull both individuals from the vehicle. The driver, a 27-year-old man, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger, a 22-year-old man, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

Witnesses told officers the driver of the Infiniti appeared to be racing with the driver of an Audi and was attempting to pass the other car on the shoulder of the highway when he lost control, went off the road, and down the embankment.

Officers located the driver of the Audi, 23-year-old Vincent Ybarra, who had pulled over near the crash site. After speaking with Mr. Ybarra, officers arrested him on one count of Racing on a Highway Causing Serious Bodily Injury / Death.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the deceased once next of kin have been notified.

The Arlington Police Department wants to remind the public that street racing is not only incredibly dangerous, it’s a serious crime that will not be tolerated.