Texas authorities have revealed that a 19-year-old TikTok star who died following a car chase with police was suspected of human smuggling.
As reported by The Independent, Gabriel Salazar was allegedly transporting undocumented migrants when he died in a crash that left him and the three others dead.
Salazar, or as he was known on TikTok, @Gabenotbabe, had managed to accumulate over a million followers after creating short lip-syncing videos and comedy skits on the platform.
The teenage TikToker from San Antonio, Texas, died alongside three other passengers in a fiery car crash at roughly 1:25 AM local time on September 26, after being pursued by police.
Now, police have said in an update on the case in a statement to The Houston Chronicle: "On September 26, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Eagle Pass, Texas, assisted Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in Zavala County with a vehicular accident which occurred near LaPryor, Texas, that resulted in the death of four individuals.
"The incident is suspected of being a possible human smuggling event. No additional details are being released at this time; as the criminal investigation remains ongoing."
According to a statement issued by the Zavala County Sheriff's Office at the time of the incident, a deputy "overheard a Crystal City Police Department officer initiate a traffic stop" with a white Chevrolet Camaro.
The cop then informed the deputy that he was in "an active pursuit" with the vehicle.
The deputy was said to have "assisted with deploying a tire deflation device but was unsuccessful." Salazar had been traveling north on Highway US 83 when he drove off the road, over-corrected, and then proceeded to speed off into a ditch.
The police officer later told the deputy that the car had collided with a number of trees, "had rolled over, and that it was fully engulfed in flames."
Before he passed, the rising star had spoken about his overnight social media fame in an interview with San Antonio Magazine.
"I never thought I’d be where I am, but I am so thankful for all my followers. Everyone wants the hype. TikTok definitely has the power to get you that," he told the magazine.