A Sunday night fishing trip ended in tragedy for four young men from Crockett, Texas. One made it to shore after their boat capsized on a private lake. The other three were found dead following an overnight search.
The victims were Sergio Quintero, 18, Alexander Aldaco, 20, and Junior Perez, 18. The survivor, Juan Hernandez, swam to shore, according to information released by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and reported by East Texas news outlets. (noticiasetx.com)
The men were fishing on private property near Grapeland when the boat overturned on Sunday, September 20. Chief Deputy Ryan Martin said the sheriff’s office received a call at about 8:06 p.m. Hernandez was safe, but Quintero, Aldaco and Perez were missing in the water. The authorities have not publicly explained what caused the boat to capsize. (noticiasetx.com)
Crews searched through the night, joined by Houston County Search and Rescue, Crockett police, the Grapeland Fire Department, Texas Game Wardens and a dive team from Huntsville. Quintero was recovered at about 7:45 a.m. Monday, September 21. Searchers found Aldaco shortly afterward and Perez at approximately 9:15 a.m. (noticiasetx.com)
The sheriff’s office said the deaths appeared to result from a boating accident and that foul play was not suspected. Texas Game Wardens are investigating. Officials had not publicly said whether the men were wearing life jackets or released a finding on what made the boat overturn, so neither should be treated as an established factor in this case. (noticiasetx.com)
By Thursday, the loss had brought neighbors to a prayer vigil across from Crockett City Hall. Local station KTRE, which covered the gathering, reported that friends and community members offered prayers and read scripture as members of the young men’s families stood among them. Attendees ended the vigil by joining hands in a circle around the grieving families. KTRE also posted video from the vigil. (kltv.com)
Carolyn McKnight told the station she helped organize the gathering despite not personally knowing the families. It was a way for Crockett to show them they would not face the days ahead alone. (kltv.com)
The families’ published remembrances offer a picture of two of the lives behind the headlines. Quintero’s obituary describes a young man who loved music, dancing, drawing and spending time with family and friends. Aldaco’s family remembered his love of basketball, fishing, horses and working outdoors. Their funeral notices and remembrances were published by Callaway-Allee Funeral Home. (Crockett, TX)
For other families heading onto the water, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department advises boaters to wear life jackets. That general safety advice does not establish what happened on this lake. Investigators have yet to release a cause for the capsize. (Safety Tips)
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