The True Story of the Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse 

Listen to the new one on Spotify. open.spotify.com/episode/1tsF5Gf7f6dk8PeQdGx4Mv?si=0mitQXINSYGu5UOMrdUmwA

Thank you for this story. Hector Martinez Jr. was my brother. This story is so timely because last night I had a dream and was calling out to him in our parent's home but my voice would cut out at the end of sentence. Thank you for remembering him, and the other the victims by telling your story. And yes, Rene's mom did save him that night.

Definitely should make a movie off this 😭

A mother's love holds no bounds. Divine intervention indeed.

I was 11 years old when this happened. My mom was 30 minutes away from getting on that bridge going to her day job on spi. I remember her calling home screaming that the bridge had collapsed. Port Isabel fire chief Robert Harris was one of the ones that passed away that morning. He would always dress up as Santa Claus and ride around on the fire trucks. He will always be Santa to me.

This story needs to be told and listened to. These men are true hero’s and God placed you where you needed to be. God bless you all I can not even imagine how this has effected you.

I remember this as clear as day. It was 6:00 a.m. the following day and my dad was on his way to the island because he worked for Central ready mix and he was going to a job site. When my mom and I heard on the news what had happened we were so scared we kept calling him and he didn't answer. Finally he called us back and said that he was on his way but right before he got on the bridge they called him to go to brownsville instead. Thank God that nothing happened to my dad that day. Robert you told this story beautifully and I can't wait to hear more.

Wow. For years I had always wondered what it would be like to talk to the people on the fishing boat that night of this tragedy. And now I just heard it. Robert is very articulate in sharing the incidents he experienced that dreadful night. It's a bitter-sweet, poignant story. I thank Robert, whom I don't know and his family members for their heroic efforts. And Mr. Moroles for handling this interview professionaly and with the right amount of emphaty. May all those who perished that night rest in peace.

I cried. I felt I was there. This story needs to be told, heard and also we need to remember the names of those who died and I would love to know more about those that survived. To Robert and the three other gentleman who saved the survivors - thank God for you. The woman - wow - the mom who saved her sun. I am in awe of this. I believe it! I can’t wait to read the transcripts of the interrogation. Make sure to do an episode and read the transcripts!!!

South Texas history. The story is finally being told. Thank you so much for sharing!

This is INCREDIBLE! This interview should win the greatest of awards! This is one of the most moving pieces I've ever heard. And having lived on the island for almost a decade Robert's account plays out like a movie as I know the area super well. This is STELLAR! I've heard from ppl who were connected to the victims, a homeboy who was stopped just before he got to the apex, and the story of the captain and what ultimately happened to him since he committed suicide a cpl years later. THIS is the most compelling account of that night...

I am in awe, Robert and his cousins were placed there to be those people’s angels, thank you for bringing this story to us, I’m in amazement

Robert, I 100% understand your reluctance to share the part of your story about Hector's mom, but there is no reason to be embarrassed by something that you cannot rationally explain. 6 weeks before my husband and I were married his mom was diagnosed with cancer. We had dated almost 6 yrs since I was 15. All I wanted, was to have a baby. When she realized that she would not live long enough to see that happen, she told me that I would have her Grandson, not only would it happen, she said that when she got to Heaven that she would hand pick a special little boy and send him to us. So we picked out his name and I knew if it were possible, she would make it happen. Two and 1/2 years after our wedding, Sharon passed away. It was May 23rd. August 24th was my Dad's birthday and the day we learned that we were having a baby. I didn't need an ultrasound to tell that it was a boy, I knew in my heart it would be and that he would be named Dakota. He was due the week before the 1st anniversary of his mom's passing. After a very difficult pregnancy, he was born 6.5 weeks early. Fast forward two years later and we were expecting our daughter. We had saved the message tape from our answering machine because her voice was recorded. We had taken it to the doctor and recorded our son's heartbeat and we were getting ready to do the same thing with our daughter. We had gotten out an old photo album, and our son was playing in his playroom playroom while we sat in the living room. Our son was very articulate, and he spoke like an adult saying things like "that is not appropriate" perfectly by his 2nd birthday. We found his heartbeat and my husband was holding a scrapbook. We were listening to the washing machine sound, and hear "Hey, hey, wait" while he is running up the stairs. He gets to the top and yells "That's ME!!!" We told him that he was right, (looking at each other, like wth?) and he ran over to his dad. The book was open to an 8x10 pic of Sharon and we were still dumbfounded from the heartbeat, when Dakota said "hey, I know that lady!" Surprised, my husband said really? And he said yes, that is the lady in Heaven, that told me that she picked me and was sending me to you guys!!!" We said yep, this is your grandma Sharon, daddy's mommy. 100% the way it happened. God Bless, and thank you for sharing your story.

This story was so eloquently told , full of imagery and bravery. Bless you all fishers of men.

I was actually there when this happened. I was staying with family for my birthday (I’m going again 20 years later in September). I was there for 9/11 too. I can say that my family and I were stranded on South Padre Island. Something I’ll never forget. Going across it again after so long, will be an emotional time. Thank you for helping those who survived!

Y’all should be awarded heroic medals

This story needs to get more recognition and exposure

I finally made the time to listen to this whole story. I am in tears, it is so riveting. I believe every word, his descriptions of the sounds, smells feelings, etc. just amazing. I truly believe the story about his mom. There are no coincidences. Thank you and I look forward to the series and more interviews. They are heroes. God Bless you all.

His story has never changed since it happened. They were heroes but they also were effected by the tragic event.

It took me two days to listen to this first episode. I should’ve been on the bridge that night. I was 20 years old, and Julio Mireles was my manager at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort. We worked the night shift (3p-11p) together and both lived in Los Fresnos. We used to shoot pool after work at the Pirate’s Den and we would follow each other home. A few hours into my shift, Julio asked who wanted to leave early. I didn’t volunteer to go home, he made me go home. He said, “Priscilla why don’t you go home. You never leave early.” He was right. I remember my whole family being at the Los Fresnos High School football game and the only one missing was me. So I decided to take him up on the offer and go home early. I was awoken to my parents storming into my bedroom, yelling, “PRISCILLA!!!” They were so used to me being at work late and had forgotten that I was with them earlier that night. That’s when I found out about the bridge and Julio was the first person I called. I must’ve dialed his number 100 times straight, but he never answered. I called another friend and she told me that Julio had fallen. He was the last vehicle to fall in and the last one that was recovered because of the other pillars that collapsed on top of him the following morning. Julio’s best friend, Mike, was the guy who was yelling to the fisherman on the bottom and he was the one to stop the rest of the cars from falling in. They still needed someone to work at the hotel so they asked if I could work even though the only way to the island was a ferry. I remember asking one of the Navy Seal divers if they found him. (There were a few divers staying at our hotel.). One of the divers said he was still strapped into his seat but the fish had already gotten to him. Julio had a closed casket, and I heard his friend, Mike moved away and I haven’t seen or heard from him since. Listening to your story from your point of view is so chilling. I still live in Los Fresnos and still cross that bridge very often.

Am grateful for the store employee letting you all into the bait shop even though he had closed. And for telling you where to go. So eerie.

The Coast Guard was a disgusting embarrassment.

What a crazy story! You all were there for a reason and it wasn’t fishing! It was such a bad tragedy I was a kid and I remember it happening .. god bless you all crazy the story gave me chills

The entire story ...im just in awe. My brother and I had gone fishing that night and left home earlier because we had caught enough fish for my dad to make his soup the next day. To think that it could have been us ...it hit me during you story and made me cry for those that didn't make it. Thank you for sharing and I will continue to listen to the rest.

What an amazing story. Wow. My friend has the original boat sitting in his back yard used in this story. Nobody would buy the boat so it was abandoned on his property in weslaco. He often sees paranormal shadows around that boat area. True story. So it reminds me of the lady they saw in the water. What an odd connection I'm getting from listening to this story.

This story is truly insane. I cried. I screamed ‘no’ alone in my apartment. Kinda unrelated: the storytelling skill that comes out of the RGV is unmatched. Thanks y’all for sharing this with us.

I was stationed in Camp Lejeune and I had just come off of 24 hour duty. My post had just ended and I was going and forth from my office to the guard shack filling in the incoming duty all the happenings of the night prior. As I was about to go home, I passed by the guard shack a final time, I saw everyone clustered around the TV set and I caught a glimpse of the unfolding of 9/11. So I remember very clearly where I was when I heard the news of the bridge collapse. I was phoning my family in Mercedes that I was ok and safe in North Carolina, when my madrina told me what had happened at Port Isabel. I immediately thought it was another act of terrorism. “But why that bridge specifically” was what I kept asking myself over and over. It wasn’t until later on that it was known that it was a tragic accident. First off let me tell you, these men are heroes. I was blown away by this story. Second of all, my whole body was covered in goose bumps and all my hairs stood up at the 1:20 mark. I was not expecting this.

Beautifully retold . I’m from the beautiful RGV and have driven over that bridge countless time and remember my heart sinking at the news of the bridge collapse news - I remember praying for all those involved - you are Hero’s! Thank you for your strength that day and thereafter! I can so understand your sense of helplessness and desperation on a never ending nightmare with a beautiful message the depth of a mother’s love at the end. Les mando un muy FUERTE abrazo - you all deserve the upmost respect , praise and acknowledgment. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. For all you ALL did that night. Bendiciones siempre~Dalia👏🏽🙏🏽❤️

I had ms goza’s class in 7th grade. She was so shook up, harpoon Barry Welch had just settled a mega medical lawsuit because they were giving his chick the wrong psych pills, and they were celebrating that night. It’s a small world. God love you! There is a reason for that gag order you can bet on it.

My son just started working on the island today and I was just telling him about what happened and showing him the marks where they added the new causeway. He wasn't even born when this happened. I remember it tho 💔

I’m crying 😭 this is so beautifully unexpected.You’re right this story must be told!!!!Thank you guys for being there that night. I do believe God put you guys that night for a reason.

What's crazy is that today my husband and I were driving over one of Jacksonville many bridges and it made me think of the Causeway that I decided to Google it and find out what really happened that day. Then I came across this podcast which was posted only a week ago. Thank you for telling your story

Made me feel as I was there with you! Great Job for your brave action! Congratulations 5 ⭐️ podcast!

Wow I’m at Awe. A mother’s love is unconditional.

Beautiful on how the story is told and how it tests your human side. One of the saddest moments in SPI/Port Isabel history. Thank you for telling this story and for the heroic actions by the narrator and his family members and friends.

One of my good friends died that morning. His name was Julio Mireles. He was a beautiful person. I was so sad when it happened.

Wow. This is the first time hearing this story. It brought me to tears. I remember hearing about the fishermen who saved people. Never heard of them or from them after. This story is amazing. Im covered in goosebumps. God bless you. All may he finish his purpose in you guys ❤

This was an awesome podcast! History of the Bridge. My dad was the Justice of the Peace at this time. I remember that day clearly.

Amazing story about mom ,totally mind blown!

POWERFUL!!!!! I’m boohooing rn! Thank you for putting this out there…this story needs to be heard 💔🙏🏼❤️

Wow. Thank you for doing this. I can’t wait for the next one.

Omg WOW ! I could not stop listening until I heard the whole story , eerier

This story needs to land on a director’s hand. Seriously. A movie needs to made on this and release date should be the day the gag order is expired.

Thank u so much for doing this interview with Robert who is a true Hero along with his companions.

Thank you for sharing your story! Be blessed!

Wow… I am completely speechless and I have an overwhelming feeling of hope for life. Thank you for this interview

Wow! I got goosebumps, my eyes got watery. Thanks for sharing.

Wow ....what a story, now part of our RGV history. Thanks for his bravery as well as the others. God bless you all.

Mijo lindo i believe . even before you finished .i as a mother knew very well who you talk to.who you saw.God Bless You Mijo and everyone involved the survivors the ones who perish.you honor their memory too 💖 Mamaz

True hero’s thank God for them❤️

I truly believe your story of the woman you spoke with and saw in the water. I cry because she was a part of it all...she was an angel. And it is real.

Wow! What an Amazing story. Somebody needs to produce a movie soon. The actions from this individuals are heroic.

Thank you for sharing this, and thank you for responding in that moment. God Bless.

So incredible, yes, must be shared.

I’ve just heard this on Easter Sunday, 2024. Amazing!!! Thank you.

I would love for this to be a book. Absolutely a great story. thank you, and may all those who passed live on in our memories . Beautiful story.

I am absolutely speechless... 💗 many thank yous to the 4 fishermen and Chris. I did not expect the ending of this story ✝️

Such a chilling story. Thank you guys for such an amazing recollection.

Amen, this was a true angelic intervention!! Father God Is Real and Angel's are always among us!!!

We left spi about a week or so before the bridge collapsed. I remember my mom telling me she had a bad feeling about it and that she had thought to herself "what would happen if the bridge collapsed?" only for my grandmother to say there was no way it could happen. She took a bunch of pictures of the bridge before we left, but the film got exposed. To this day we wonder if there might have been anything odd in those photos.

My heart broke when I heard of this incident... I had crossed the causeway about an hour or so before it collapsed. I remember because the next morning it was all over the news and when they said the time it occurred I freaked out .

Thank you so much for sharing what happen that day

This is so intense, that I need to pause and breathe. Thank you for helping when the rest would not help.

Just attended the booksigning, I was very intrigued with the order of things and appreciate Robert Espericueta tell of events.

The ending made me shake and tear up. Thank you for sharing with us

Made me cry man what a story

Hector passed away. His mom is alive. I think you have the names confused. Such a tragedy! Hector was a happy outgoing person. Rest in peace primo. Your a hero for having saved lives putting yours at risk. May God Bless you!

Thanks for the content Joshua. Great stuff! Any filmmakers in the RGV interested in making a documentary about this? Let make this happen.

I was supposed to go out to Coconuts on the island that night but I changed my mind and went elsewhere. Upon hearing this, I got chills throughout several parts of this interview.

Was just in padre my fishing guide told us about this podcast so glad I listened!

Wow I got towards the end can’t believe the coast guards lack of companionship smh on them

Jesus as he describes the cars going into the water my anxiety just built up. I have a fear of dark water and being helpless. I could only imagine the fear these people must've been going through. So sad. Rip.

I’ve shared this with so many of friends and family, I love this!!!

I remember that my parents told me that they thought that a terrorist attack was happening here and some locals were scared because we thought that we were being attacked here until we heard what actually happened and wasn't related, it was a surprising day and week

My boss Tony Salinas is the Tony mentioned on this podcast. He is one of the fishermen that helped rescue those people.

WOW! Absolutely amazing! It took me a while to finally listen to the story and I’m so happy I did! Thank You to all those that night on that vessel who helped save those lives.

What an amazing story. Goosebumps.

Wow! Thank you for this. This story needed to be told. 🙏

I crossed that bridge early that day, this was crazy. Blessed.

I drove on that bridge about 45 minutes before the accident leaving my job at SPI

Omg Robert you talked to his mom!! I believe you... stuff has happened to my family, but for everyone else to validate it more.... y’all gotta ask the other guys if they heard your conversations with his mom?? Y’all are true heroes

Before he said that the lady they saw looked like his mom, I was thinking maybe the lady they saw was an angel sent so y’all can find him. This brings me chills!

This is better than a Steven King Book.

This story is actually extremely chilling for me to hear right now. Believe me or not but I have the proof to validate your description of the lady you saw. In the middle of the bay, only waist deep, waving her hands, calling out to you.....she was real. She is real. She calls out at night still. My cousin Ruben Valdez has recorded her voice calling out! She sounds as if she is calling out for help, drifting away further and further until suddenly her voice stops. Exactly how you describe her is the same description of the video my cousin recorded. I left the link to his video below. I’ve already sent my cousin this video as well because he also has been wondering what exactly he heard.

Wow just wow. Chills down my spine throughout the whole testimony.. this was all nothing but God’s intervention... god bless them and for being there at that very moment, God knew where to place them and why. This story is tragically amazing.

I can hear your valley accents through the speakers. Just waiting for one of y’all to finish a sentence with “neta!!” Lol. Much love from Houston.

Important and amazing story. Thanks for sharing it.

Great interview!

What an amazing testimony, I would get chili's just listening to your story.

As soon as you mentioned the lady disappearing in the water , I knew she was an Angel❤️ but never thought the story would turn out this way.. thats how much a mother loves her children..

I was working with TXDOT at the time and many employees with key skills were selected to work on building a ramp to ferry people from the island and back on daily bases until the bridge was repaired. It was scary, I thought that it was 911 related until it was mentioned to be a barge accident that took the bridge down. People driving on the bridge could see headlights on the road coming their way and than disappear out as the vehicles were plunging into the water in the darkness.

What an experience and even though its a sad story; you tell it so well. A documentary or movie is in potential here.

This needs to be a movie!

Currently watching this video while driving through the bridge

That’s movie material right there

Just adding this comment so that listeners can understand and follow the rest of the story easily in their research. When Robert says Hector Morales he means Gustavo Morales. The one time he says Hector Mata he means Rene Mata. The rest of the time when he says Hector he is referring to Rene Mata.

I heard the entire podcast and this is a riveting story that you can’t seem to stop listening too. With a shocking twist in the end, that makes you wonder… Thanks for publishing!!

Yes you are and now you can honor my nephew my sisterand my brother in law 💙

This gave me the chills!!

Amazing story!