Brownsville, TX (KRGV) — A jury sentenced Cristobal Stephan Garzez to 20 years in prison for the death of David Zapata.

Garzez was accused of hitting and killing David Zapata on the shoulder of Expressway 83 and leaving the scene in July 2025.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says Zapata was on the shoulder of the expressway securing a vehicle to his tow truck when a white Dodge Ram driven by Garzez did not slow down and hit him.

The sentencing phase started Monday morning after jurors asked to review the last two pieces of evidence. After 20 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned with the sentence and found that Garzez’s vehicle was a deadly weapon.

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Jurors had already found Garzez guilty of causing Zapata’s death while driving intoxicated.

After a short break, Zapata’s wife, Grace Zapata, read a victim impact statement, while Garzez remained stoic throughout.

Grace said her husband was “more than a body torn to pieces,” she said he was her husband of almost 27 years and the father of their four children.

She said he was killed the day after they celebrated their youngest son’s 14th birthday. When she got the call, Grace said, “it shattered my heart in a million pieces.”

Grace said she also wondered how she would support herself and her family after his death. She said she had to endure seeing images of her husband’s body on social media.

“My husband will never come home because of drugs and carelessness,” Grace said.

The Cameron County District Attorney's Office released the following statements in reference to the sentencing:

"On behalf of the District Attorney’s Office, our continued condolences to the Zapata Family. Losing a loved one to such a horrific tragic act is something that can never be forgotten. The jury has spoken and the Defendant will be held accountable for his criminal conduct. I am very proud of how the community has come together to support the family and demanding justice be served. This is an important verdict; it sends the message that our community will not tolerate the taking of a life by impaired drivers."

Victim impact statements are scheduled to continue.