Sole Witness in Fatal ICE Shooting Dies in San Antonio Crash

SAN ANTONIO – Joshua Orta, 25, died in a high-speed crash in San Antonio early Saturday morning, February 22, 2026, according to the San Antonio Medical Examiner’s office. Orta was the sole passenger in the vehicle when Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, was shot by a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent on South Padre Island last March. Orta’s testimony contradicted initial reports from the Department of Homeland Security.

Contradicting Testimony

According to attorneys representing Martinez’s family, Orta was prepared to provide a written statement detailing his account of the shooting. He told attorneys that Martinez was slowly turning the vehicle around, as requested by an officer, and that his foot was not on the gas when he was shot. This account differs from the DHS’s initial statement that Martinez attempted to run over an agent, prompting the shooting. A grand jury declined to indict the agent in the shooting on Wednesday, February 24, 2026.

Crash Details

The San Antonio Police Department reported that Orta lost control of his vehicle on the Interstate 35 frontage road near Powell Street around 1 a.m. On Saturday. He crashed into a utility pole, and the vehicle caught fire. Passengers in the vehicle attempted to rescue Orta, but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS. Newsweek first reported the connection between Orta’s death and the Martinez shooting.

Impact on Martinez’s Family

Orta and Martinez were close friends, described by those who knew them as “almost like brothers.” Rachel Reyes, Martinez’s mother, reportedly considered Orta “almost like a son,” according to attorney Butch Hayes. The loss of Orta is particularly devastating for the family, especially in light of the grand jury’s decision not to indict the agent involved in Martinez’s death.

Aftermath of the Shooting

The shooting occurred in the early hours of March 15, 2025, as HSI agents were assisting South Padre Island Police Department with traffic control following a separate accident. A passenger in the car with Martinez corroborated Orta’s account, stating the men were attempting to comply with authorities before Martinez was shot. Following the shooting, Orta was reportedly left in another vehicle by an officer for six to seven hours.

Ongoing Investigation

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that the Texas Rangers’ investigation into the shooting is complete, but the report has not yet been released. The Martinez family continues to seek justice and transparency in the case.