Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

Brian

Jan 26, 2011, 5:51 PM

Post #1 of 12 (5586 views)

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American missionary killed

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Many who travel between the McAllen/Brownsville border and the interior of Mexico take the free road which passes by San Fernando. The victim was an experienced Mexican traveller and had apparently been exposed to gunfire before in the course of her vocation. Que descanse en paz.

http://edition.cnn.com/...28RSS%3A+Americas%29

(This post was edited by Brian on Jan 26, 2011, 5:52 PM)

Reefhound

Jan 26, 2011, 5:58 PM

Post #2 of 12 (5578 views)

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Re: [Brian] American missionary killed

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My first thought was whether it was anyone from this forum. A lot of folks here take that route. My condolences to the lady and her family. How come it seems like this stuff always happens to those who love Mexico the most?

Reefhound

Jan 26, 2011, 6:46 PM

Post #3 of 12 (5558 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] American missionary killed

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Here's a video of the couple singing at their church.

Altahabana

Jan 26, 2011, 7:20 PM

Post #4 of 12 (5542 views)

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Re: [Brian] American missionary killed

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San Fernando is nearly 100 miles south of Reynosa. I'm guessing they were actually somewhere on the road between the two cities. It baffles me why someone who lives in Tamaulipas would try to run a narco reten or for that matter even be driving on that highway. Considering what is going on right now something like this was bound to happen.

Brian

Jan 26, 2011, 7:37 PM

Post #5 of 12 (5534 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] American missionary killed

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Hwy 101 is the main route one takes between the capital, Ciudad Victoria, and Reynosa or Matamoros. What viable alternative is there for travelers? I won't second guess the man's decision to try to outrun rather than comply with the gunmens' demands. He will go over that in his mind for the rest of his life. Certainly he was in a panic state in that he drove his wife such a distance toward the border rather than seek police and medical assistance in Mexico.

Reportedly, the couple had homes in Weslaco, TX and Linares, Nuevo Leon where they spent the bulk of their time.

(This post was edited by Brian on Jan 26, 2011, 8:09 PM)

Reefhound

Jan 26, 2011, 7:46 PM

Post #6 of 12 (5524 views)

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Re: [Brian] American missionary killed

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I agree it's not for us to second guess him. To flee or to stop is an age old dilemma when dealing with criminals and there are cases and circumstances where each is the better choice. It's an impulsive decision one makes based on their circumstances and instincts. It's not possible to know the correct answer without knowing the alternative outcome. Obviously, it was not a good outcome for her. But who's to say if they had stopped that we wouldn't be discussing two dead Americans? Anybody that would shoot someone for not stopping could just as well shoot them for not getting out of the car fast enough or not handing over their wallet fast enough or perhaps just for the fun of it or to send some unknown "message".

mexliving

Jan 26, 2011, 10:35 PM

Post #7 of 12 (5485 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] American missionary killed

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what a horrible tragedy............... there are some that say the free roads are good to travel on ............. without thinking about what could happen on these isolated areas. toll roads are dangerous also.

Altahabana

Jan 27, 2011, 6:33 AM

Post #8 of 12 (5442 views)

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Re: [Brian] American missionary killed

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Hwy 101 is the main route one takes between the capital, Ciudad Victoria, and Reynosa or Matamoros. What viable alternative is there for travelers?

This incident probably happened on Hwy 97 but the risk is basically the same. It is a huge dilemma for Mexicans who absolutely have to travel from central/south Tamaulipas to the border or the few North Americans similarly situated. On reflection, because of their work, the Davis may have had no choice but to be where they were.

Most people simply avoid non-essential travel. But the possibility of being stopped at a retén on these roads is common knowledge among people who live in Tamaulipas. For North Americans who are simply traveling between the interior of Mexico and some point the US there are many alternatives.

I won't second guess the man's decision to try to outrun rather than comply with the gunmens' demands.

It is indeed startling to suddenly encounter heavily armed civilians stopping traffic on a highway. But someone who lives in the border area and elects to travel these roads should be familiar with the situation and should know this exact thing could happen. The overwhelming consensus of advice/opinion--both official and informal--is that victims should not resist or try to run and comply with whatever demands are made. Mr. Davis should have known that and his disregard--whether conscious or instinctive--underscores the soundness of the advice.

Memo

Jan 27, 2011, 7:16 AM

Post #9 of 12 (5417 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] American missionary killed

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From the looks of the victims truck, that is probably all they wanted. It would be wiser to buy a beat up truck (even beat it up yourself superficially) that is mechanically sound.

Brian

Jan 27, 2011, 8:09 AM

Post #10 of 12 (5394 views)

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Re: [Memo] American missionary killed

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Where I learned most of what I know about Mexico, such cars are deemed "bien Tijuaneado".

Memo

Jan 27, 2011, 10:55 AM

Post #11 of 12 (5346 views)

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Re: [Brian] American missionary killed

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Haha! Thanks, I will use that next time I am trying to explain to the mechanic what I want.

(This post was edited by Memo on Jan 27, 2011, 10:57 AM)

Brian

Jan 27, 2011, 11:27 AM

Post #12 of 12 (5329 views)

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Re: [Memo] American missionary killed

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"Mechanically sound" is a quite relative term. That's why a good mechanic is needed to fix the parts that are constantly breaking and falling apart because of the baches, topes and inevitable golpes.

Brian