Tony Vasquez was operating his motorized scooter down Cantrell Street in Irving, Texas, early one morning when a black Honda Civic approached from behind and struck him, according to investigators. But the impact wasn't the end of it — authorities say the driver made a U-turn and hit Vasquez again before running over his body and driving away as if nothing had happened. The 27-year-old was left dying in the street.
Background
Vasquez, who was from Dallas, spent his life surrounded by music. His family described him as a musician who played bass alongside his father, Julio Vasquez, in their band — a partnership that spanned generations and filled rooms with sound at local venues across North Texas.
"I miss him a lot," Julio Vasquez told KDFW. "It's just terrible. I mean, somebody to do that, you know, has to be crazy, has to be an animal."
The devastating loss has left his family struggling to make sense of the violence that took their son and bandmate from them.
The Investigation
Officers with the Irving Police Department responded to the 2800 block of Cantrell Street regarding an accident around 2:53 a.m., according to an IPD statement. When they arrived, they found Vasquez — still on his motorized scooter — suffering from catastrophic injuries that would prove fatal.
Investigators quickly launched their investigation and began collecting evidence at the scene, including vehicle debris and parts that would later help identify the suspect's car.
The following hours brought a clearer picture of what authorities say occurred: Noe Ibarra Cedeno, 36, had been drinking while watching a FIFA soccer match before getting behind the wheel. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by local ABC affiliate WFAA, Cedeno admitted to investigators that he consumed four to six Corona beers before leaving to drive someone to a hotel.
"He stated that upon leaving, he hit something with his vehicle, but did not know what it was, and later believed he had hit a person," the affidavit states. "The defendant turned around and drove back through the scene, not seeing anything, but running over something again."
After striking Vasquez initially, making his U-turn, hitting him a second time, and then driving over his body, Cedeno allegedly continued on to deliver his passenger to a hotel before eventually returning home — authorities say he never stopped.
Police located the black Honda Civic linked to the incident. The vehicle's front bumper was damaged, with pieces matching debris found at the crash scene, according to investigators.
Cedeno was later detained and given a preliminary breath test for drunk driving. He blew a 0.103 — over Texas' legal limit of 0.08. He was booked into the Dallas County Jail.
The Charges
Cedeno faces four charges stemming from the incident: intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault, collision involving serious bodily injury or death and hit-and-run causing death. He is being held on a combined $350,000 bond.
The most serious charge — intoxication manslaughter — carries significant prison time if convicted. The case will proceed through Dallas County courts.
Key Takeaways
- Tony Vasquez was a 27-year-old musician from Dallas who played bass in a band with his father, Julio Vasquez
- Noe Ibarra Cedeno, 36, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter and three additional counts related to the crash
- Authorities allege Cedeno struck Vasquez, made a U-turn, hit him again, ran over his body, and fled the scene
- A preliminary breath test showed Cedeno's blood alcohol concentration at 0.103 — above Texas' legal limit of 0.08
- He was arrested and is being held on $350,000 combined bond in Dallas County Jail
What's Next
Cedeno will face arraignment proceedings in Dallas County court where he is expected to enter pleas to the charges against him. The case remains under investigation as prosecutors prepare for what could be a lengthy legal battle involving the intoxication manslaughter charge. Vasquez's family continues to mourn their loss while following developments in the case that claimed the life of their son and fellow musician.