On today’s date (07-05-17), at approximately 12:06am, the New Braunfels Police Department and the New Braunfels Fire Department were called to the 1100 block of State Hwy 46 South for reports of a single vehicle crash followed by a vehicle vs pedestrian accident.
The initial investigation revealed that a white Volkswagen Jetta had lost control and struck a guard rail leaving the vehicle disabled in the inside lane of southbound Hwy 46. The driver of the Jetta, identified as 32-year old Rudy Varela Jr. of New Braunfels, then exited the vehicle and attempted to cross the southbound lanes of the highway on foot. That’s when Varela was struck by a Ford Ranger pickup truck driven by a 42-year old male from New Braunfels.
First responders arrived at the scene and immediately began life-saving measures on the victim who was transported by ground EMS to San Antonio Military Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. Next of kin has been notified.
Traffic in both directions of State Hwy 46 South was limited to one lane in each direction while the New Braunfels Police Department Traffic Unit investigated at the scene. All lanes were reopened as of 5:30am. The incident remains under investigation; however, no charges are expected to be filed.