Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr. Obituary MIDLAND, Texas. The death of 24-year-old Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr. of Odessa has prompted an ongoing police investigation in Midland, Texas, after a fatal incident involving a moving Jeep Wrangler outside a nightclub on Rankin Highway. The driver, identified by police as 30-year-old Christian Rojelio Zubia, was arrested and charged with manslaughter, according to local news reports published on October 9, 2026.
Midland police said officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of Rankin Highway at approximately 10:46 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, following a report involving a 2018 Jeep Wrangler and a pedestrian. When officers arrived, they found Soto Navarrete lying in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the fatal incident.
What Happened to Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr.?
According to accounts provided to investigators by witnesses, Soto Navarrete climbed onto the hood of a black Jeep Wrangler. The vehicle was being driven by Zubia, who was also identified as an Odessa resident.
Witnesses told police that the driver accelerated while turning southbound, causing Soto Navarrete to fall from the hood and sustain fatal injuries.
Police said the driver left the scene after the incident. Officers from the Odessa Police Department later assisted in locating Zubia, with both departments using FLOCK camera technology as part of the investigation.
These details are based on witness accounts described in police reporting. The full sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain subject to the ongoing investigation.
Driver Arrested and Charged With Manslaughter
Authorities identified Christian Rojelio Zubia, 30, as the driver involved in the incident. He was arrested and charged with manslaughter, according to reports citing the Midland Police Department.
A criminal charge is an allegation, not a finding of guilt. Any determination of criminal responsibility will depend on the legal process and the evidence presented.
Police have not released a complete account of all the circumstances preceding the incident. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not provided further details in the reports reviewed for this article.
Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr.: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr. |
| Age | 24 |
| Hometown | Odessa, Texas |
| Incident location | 1700 block of Rankin Highway, Midland, Texas |
| Incident date | October 8, 2026 |
| Reported time | Approximately 10:46 p.m. |
| Vehicle involved | 2018 Jeep Wrangler |
| Driver identified by police | Christian Rojelio Zubia, 30 |
| Reported outcome | Fatal injuries after falling from the Jeep |
| Charge reported | Manslaughter |
| Investigating agency | Midland Police Department |
| Investigation status | Ongoing |
Investigation Continues in Midland
The Midland Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Soto Navarrete’s death. Odessa police assisted in locating the driver, while camera technology was used to support the investigation.
The available reports do not provide a complete account of what led Soto Navarrete to climb onto the Jeep or explain the events immediately before the vehicle began moving. Those details remain important to understanding the incident.
Police have notified the victim’s next of kin, according to local reporting. No additional information about the family’s arrangements or a public memorial service was included in the reports reviewed.
Remembering Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr.
Soto Navarrete was 24 years old and lived in Odessa, Texas. His death in Midland has left his loved ones facing a sudden loss while authorities work to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
At this stage, verified public information about his personal life, occupation, education, and family background remains limited. Those details should not be assumed or added without confirmation from relatives or an authoritative obituary.
As the investigation proceeds, additional information may clarify the events leading to his death and the legal proceedings involving the driver.
Disclaimer
This article is based on published local news reports and information attributed to the Midland Police Department as of October 10, 2026. The reported sequence of events includes witness accounts, and the investigation remains ongoing. The manslaughter charge against Christian Rojelio Zubia is an allegation and does not establish guilt. Personal and funeral details about Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr. have not been independently confirmed in the sources reviewed. This article may be updated as reliable information becomes available.