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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61. Oh man, my mom is all depressed now. she loves emilio and his music. him and his family are in our thoughts and prayers. Stay strong Emilio!

Posted at 12:34PM on Mar 24th 2008 by andres

62. He is a famous tejano star in Texas. He is known as the king of tejano music like Selena was known as the queen of tejano music. They worked together as well before she was shot and killed. It is a very tuff for tejano music fans out there right now. First Selena and now him.

Posted at 1:00PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Sylvia

63. Emilio is one of the BIGGEST Tejano stars in the industry. I grew up listening to him, I LOVE his music! He is a wonderful performer. My god be with him and his family. Also with his band mates, that were in the accident as well. VIVE TEJANO!

Posted at 1:04PM on Mar 24th 2008 by D.MariefrmHTown

64. May the Lord bless him in possibly what some may say may be one of the most trying inportant fight of/for his life. Fight Emilio!!! God Bless him and family/friends of the other victims as well. Hope they find the other vehicles involved according to police report from freeway cameras and either held accountable or retrieve some information on the accident.
.

Posted at 1:29PM on Mar 24th 2008 by LadyMels

65. Emilio,
Godspeed on your recovery. You called me to wish me well when I had my accident and I will never forget your kidness. My prayers are with you and your Family. My family or I will try to get in touch, Life is Good my friend adn we all Love YA. God Bless.
Love from Cali,
Rosa

Posted at 1:36PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Rosa Soto

66. WTF: but yet, you won't leave your name when making racist comments like that?....hmmmm, no balls? Check your statistics first before you embarrass yourself. Don't be mad because that "Hispanic" makes more money than you!

Posted at 1:51PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Lola Flores

67. Emilio! We love you and are praying for your speedy recovery!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!! Hugs and kisses to Grupo Rio too! From all your fans in Dallas, Texas! Shoot IT!!!

Posted at 1:54PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Lola Flores

68. Emilio... you are in your Fans Prayers. We love you!! First Selena and now you?? Please stay strong, for your family, your friends and your fans. XOXO

Posted at 2:00PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Texan Girl

69. i saw this wreck on sunday morning going to brunch ... it took over 8 hours to clean up the mess ...

lesson to be learned - wear your seatbelt - he was thrown from the bus - through the front window - had he been wearing a belt - he would not have been critically hurt !!!

greta, bellaire, texas

Posted at 2:29PM on Mar 24th 2008 by greta

70. I'm not a fan of TMZ but I'm shocked and very pleasantly surprised to see that this tragedy is being reported here. Thank you TMZ for recognizing Emilio. I grew up listening to his music, I've seen him perform at least 2 times and privately met him back in 1999. Despite his star status he's incredibly humble, very modest, and the nicest person you could possibly meet. How ironic that this happens so close to the anniversary of Selena's death on March 31st. Our queen is gone and now possibly our king. I grew up in the area of this accident and Bellaire is NOT 'ghetto'. People don't pay millions to live in a bad neighborhood. You must be thinking of the areas on the west side of the city limits, THAT is ghetto. Anyway, we're all praying for you Emilio! You've touched so many with your kindness and talent, may God bless you and pull you through this.

Posted at 3:11PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Julie

71. Posh Area?? I live in Houston, most of the Bellaire area is ghetto. 610 is a scary place to drive. well anywhere in Houston is. But i hope that he makes a speedy recovery even though i dont know who he is.

Posted at 3:40PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Anonymous

72. I live in Houston and I am hispanic. I've heard of Emilio and though I've never been a big Tejano fan, I still sincerely wish him and his band a speedy recovery. It doesn't matter what race you are, we are all still human and deserved to be treated as such. I'm appalled at some of the rude and horrible comments some of these people are leaving for him. God speed, Emilio!

Posted at 4:15PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Nance

73. 1st he wants to be drinking and driving in san antonio now muy chungon he want to drive the bus

Posted at 4:49PM on Mar 24th 2008 by richard rrrr

74. He's a great singer and very friendly with his fans. Our prayers are with him and his family.

I saw him in a concert along with Selena. Great Tejano singers. "Tejano" is another word for singers that are from Texas with Hispanic culture and or parents. The music is very lively and danceable.

Posted at 5:42PM on Mar 24th 2008 by annapooh

75. He and the whole band (Rio ) are in my prayers! Big fan of his and for a while he also sang country....

Posted at 5:54PM on Mar 24th 2008 by BES

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