Tejano Star Emilio Navaira Critical After Crash

Posted Mar 23rd 2008 1:01PM by TMZ Staff

Grammy-winning Tejano singer Emilio Navaira was critically injured after his band's bus crashed in Houston.

Navaira and his band Rio had performed at a Houston nightclub on Saturday night. Cops say around 5:00 AM Sunday the band's bus slammed into traffic barrels on Interstate 610 northbound in Bellaire, a posh area west of downtown Houston.

Navaira is currently in critical condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital. His brother Raul was also injured in the wreck, along with several other members of the band.

The 45-year-old Navaira and Rio have released more than a dozen albums. "Acuerdate" won the 2003 Grammy for best Tejano album.

Filed under: Music, Nurse!

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(Page 3 of 14)Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. Great to see that TMZ is keeping an eye for us Tejano fans...our prayers are with the family.

Posted at 5:59PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by Lisa

32. Emilio is the reason I started loving tejano music. I wathced him live in Yakima Wa. one year. May God bless him and todo grupo Rio. Shooooot it!!!

Posted at 6:16PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by Rick R Moses Lake, Wa.

33. Emilio Navaira was once label mates of Garth Brooks and Chris Ledoux at Capitol Records. The label marketed him as the "Latino Garth Brooks" for his English language releases. Great guy! I wish him a speedy recovery.

Posted at 6:58PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by Vince

34. He doesn't look anything like Edward James Olmos, but guess who'll play him in the telepic?

Just sayin...

(Here's to a full recovery.)

Posted at 8:26PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by Carolyn (Abernathy)

35. Happy Easter! What is up with all the animosity, negativity and sarcasm WTF (WAY TOO FOOLISH)? No sleep for the evil.

Posted at 10:31PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by Have A Peaceful And Happy Easter Weekend

36. God Bless you Emilo, I will think about you in prayers

Posted at 10:32PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by nscheermom1

37. As a friend and fellow Tejano musician of Emilio I wish to express my shock and sadness for the news of his accident. As touring musicians, we all pray that every trip to a performance brings us home safe. And this is not for Tejano musicians only. Musicians from all genres of music share this prayer. To all who are generally concerned, I know the family appreciates your thoughts and well wishes, but to those who choose to use this news as a way to show hate and disrespect please stop. Take this news as a way to reflect on your own blessings and family and hope that you never have this happen to you or a loved one.

Posted at 10:36PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by Anthony M.

38. I love his music. He is such a great entertainer and a big success in Tejano music. We here in Texas are praying for Emilio, Raulito y todo su familia.

Posted at 10:39PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by Virginia A.

39. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those effected by this tragic affair. AND although I am not a Tejano fan I am certainly intelligent enough to know that this can happen to anyone regardless or race and/or color. So please try to remember that the next time you feel the need to criticize and ridicule someone at a time like this.

Posted at 11:26PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by Stephanie

40. HOPE EMILIO AND ALL HIS BAND WILL GET THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME.....MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALL.....

Posted at 11:27PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by CASSINOVA

41. I ALSO THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE MORE FULL OF PASSION FOR ANYONE WHO IS HUMAN WHO HAS TO GO THROUGH SUCH A TOUGH ORDEAL....EMILIO SHOULD BE TREATED AS ONE OF YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN INJURED WE ARE ALL GOD KIDS AND DESERVE THAT RESPECT....JOHN 3:16

Posted at 11:27PM on Mar 23rd 2008 by CASSINOVA

42. I loved Emilos country albums, and I didn't ever really listen to the tejano stuff since I don't speak the language, but did enjoy the country stuff. He does have a great voice, and I hope and pray for all his band and him to recover, and go back to their lives.
God Speed!

Posted at 12:14AM on Mar 24th 2008 by TX Cowgurl

43. Hope he gets better.

Posted at 12:18AM on Mar 24th 2008 by Yikes!

44. YOUR FANS IN RIOS,TX A VERY SMALL COMMUNITY IS PRAYING FOR U EMILIO AND BAND .. WE WILL ASK THE MAN ABOVE FOR ALL HIS BLESSINGS FOR U GUYS TO GET WELL VERY VERY SOON .. TAKE CARE AND B STRONG .. HANG IN THERE .. LOVE U GUYSSSSSSS .. SYLVIA G. IN RIOS,TX..78349

Posted at 12:54AM on Mar 24th 2008 by dancing_beauty2314rios,tx

45. Emilio and his group are great performers...i LUV their music...i wish them all well and i will keep them all in my prayers!
luv and respect!

Posted at 2:13AM on Mar 24th 2008 by selenia

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