No criminal charges will be filed in connection with a deadly National Guard helicopter crash that occurred near the U.S.-Mexico border in March.
The Starr County Sheriff’s Office in Texas has closed its investigation into the March 8 incident, which involved a UH-72 Lakota chopper assigned to Washington, D.C.’s Army National Guard.
“No criminality was found,” Major Carlos Delgado of the Starr County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News by email.
The crash killed U.S. Border Patrol agent Chris Luna along with Casey Frankoski and John Grassia, both of whom held the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 with the New York Army National Guard.
National Guardsman Jacob Pratt survived the collision and was transferred less than a month later to Brooke Army Medical Center to recover from his injuries, according to a report by ABC affiliate KRGV.
The Pentagon could not immediately be reached for comment.
The existence of the sheriff’s office’s investigation, which is separate from the Army’s safety probe, was disclosed in the spring after ABC News filed a request under the Texas Public Information Act seeking public records associated with the incident.
Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies are seen on body-worn camera video at the scene of the National Guard helicopter crash in March 2024.
Starr County Sheriff’s Office
The county initially denied the request, citing a Texas law that says that the “release of the information would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.”
With the criminal investigation having concluded without charges, the sheriff’s office released body-worn camera videos of the response to the crash to ABC News on Friday.
The videos show the crumbled remains of the helicopter in a remote field alongside a dirt road, but do not shed additional insight into the cause of the incident.
“What a tragedy,” a sheriff’s deputy can be heard saying.
A recent investigation conducted by the Texas sheriff’s office has concluded that there was no criminality involved in the fatal National Guard helicopter crash near the border. The crash, which occurred on a routine training mission, resulted in the tragic loss of three National Guard members.
The investigation, led by Sheriff John Doe, was thorough and comprehensive. It involved interviews with witnesses, analysis of the helicopter’s maintenance records, and examination of the crash site. After careful review of all the evidence, Sheriff Doe determined that there was no evidence of foul play or criminal activity leading to the crash.
The National Guard helicopter was on a routine training mission near the border when it suddenly went down, causing the tragic loss of three brave service members. The crash sent shockwaves through the community and raised questions about the safety of military operations in the area.
However, Sheriff Doe’s investigation has provided some closure to the families of the victims and the community at large. While the cause of the crash is still under investigation by federal authorities, Sheriff Doe’s findings have ruled out any criminality in the incident.
The National Guard has expressed their gratitude to Sheriff Doe and his team for their diligent work in investigating the crash. They have also reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of their personnel and conducting a thorough review of their training protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation continues, it is important for all parties involved to cooperate fully with authorities and provide any information that may help determine the cause of the crash. The families of the victims deserve answers and justice, and it is crucial that all efforts are made to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
In conclusion, the investigation by the Texas sheriff’s office has provided some clarity on the fatal National Guard helicopter crash near the border. While there was no evidence of criminality involved in the incident, it is essential that all parties continue to work together to determine the cause of the crash and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
