McAllen, Texas – The community of Nikki Rowe High School is mourning the loss of one of its students, Dan De La Cruz, who tragically passed away following an underage drinking pool party. The incident has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about the dangers of underage drinking and unsupervised gatherings.
Dan De La Cruz, a senior at Nikki Rowe High School, was a well-liked and respected student. McAllen Independent School District (ISD) officials expressed their deep sorrow over his passing. "We are deeply saddened to hear the news of one of our students’ passing," the district stated. "Dan was a lovely young man who was highly regarded by his peers. Though missed, he won’t be forgotten. We are praying and thinking of the family during this trying time."
The tragic incident occurred on August 17, when McAllen police were called to a disturbance at a residence on North Betsen Road. According to reports, De La Cruz attempted to jump from the roof of a gazebo into a pool but lost his balance, resulting in a fatal fall. The fall caused severe head injuries, and despite immediate medical assistance, De La Cruz was unable to recover.
The party where the incident occurred was reportedly attended by several minors, with alcohol being served. Authorities discovered that Jaime Islas and his son were responsible for providing alcohol to the underage attendees. Both were arrested and charged with supplying alcohol to minors. The hosts of the party had even charged admission fees, further exacerbating the situation.
A Snapchat video of the incident has gone viral, showing De La Cruz’s tragic fall. The video, which captures the moment he hit the ground headfirst, has added to the heartbreak felt by his family, friends, and the community.
In the wake of this tragedy, McAllen ISD has canceled a planned sports scrimmage and postponed the "Meet The Warrior" program as the school community grieves the loss of Dan De La Cruz.
This heartbreaking event serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with underage drinking and the importance of supervision during gatherings involving minors. The McAllen community is left to mourn the loss of a young life full of potential, and many are calling for increased awareness and preventive measures to avoid such tragedies in the future.