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UIW student found dead with injuries to the back of his head after crash on I-35 in Selma

Joseph Banales was a senior nursing student who was also in the ROTC program. His family believes he was the victim in a road rage shooting.

SELMA, Texas — Authorities are investigating after a UIW nursing student was found shot to death in his car after a crash on I-35.

Police in Selma confirmed that around 11:45 p.m. on Saturday night, officers were sent to the 15400 block of I-35 North for a report of a single-vehicle accident. Officers found a 22-year-old man unresponsive in the driver's seat, and medics arrived and determined he was deceased.

"Witnesses described the victim’s vehicle as swerving and almost striking another vehicle," police said. "The victim’s car then struck the inside median and came to a stop." 

Police identified the victim as Joseph Banales. UIW confirmed that Banales was a senior nursing student who was also in the ROTC program.

The victim's family said Banales was heading home from a military ball when he was involved in what the family suspects to be a road rage incident with another driver. The autopsy confirmed that Banales was killed by a gunshot wound to the head, and Selma police officials added they're now investigating his death as a homicide. 

"As he was going to exit the highway near the Selma exit, he may have cut off a car that proceeded to start driving erratically around him," said Tom Eckel, the fiancé of the victim's mother.

Eckel said Banales was on the phone with his girlfriend at the time. She also attended the military ball but was dropped off at home prior to the incident. Over the phone, she heard another car's engine revving and then a loud noise. Then the call dropped.

"That's when we think he may have been shot," said Eckel.

The family is looking for more information from Selma police.

"We hope to get answers as any parent wants about what happened to their child," Eckel said.

What they family is finding comfort in is the memories of Banales, who was a twin and one of six siblings. His godmother Lisa Amato spoke proudly of him and said he comes from a long line of military service.

He was also strong in his faith.

"He was every parents dream from the day he was born until the day he died," said Amato.

She said Banales was studying to become an Army nurse just like his parents. Instead, the family is now planning his funeral as they await more answers over what happened.

"We're just trying to go minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day as we can," said Eckel.

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