Tejano superstar clings to life

Less than a month after performing on a Brownsville stage, Grammy award-winning Tejano musician Emilio Navaira is now fighting for his life.

Navaira was thrown through the windshield of his tour bus at about 5 a.m. Sunday when it slammed into traffic barrels in southwest Houston. Six people who were aboard the bus - all but one of them band members - were also hurt according to The Associated Press.

"There is a chance he may not make it," said Dr. Alex Valadka, director of neurotrauma services at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and vice chair of neurosciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

"Everyone needs to understand that right up front. That's how bad it is."

Navaira, 45, had emergency surgery to remove a blood clot that put pressure on his brain. After the two-hour operation, he underwent experimental treatment where doctors lowered his body temperature to treat the injury, the AP reported Monday.

Assistant Bellaire Police Chief Byron Holloway told the AP Tuesday that Navaira wasn't licensed to drive "a vehicle that size."

He said blood was taken from the singer to test for alcohol but the results wouldn't be likely for a couple of weeks.

"This is going to be driver error or something mechanical," Holloway said. "I think the blood analysis might tell the tale."

He said also under consideration was the possibility Navaira fell asleep while driving.

In Brownsville, where the singer is a household name, Navaira's fans recoiled.

"It's a tragic accident," said Mando San Roman, program director at 99.5 Que Pasa KKPS, a Valley-wide radio station. "Since the 90s, Emilio has been one of the major Tejano musicians."

All day on Monday, the station fielded calls from its listeners who inquired about Naivara's health.

"He's made Tejano music famous on both sides of the border," San Roman said. "His music has helped define Hispanic identity...and his importance as a musician makes the accident even more tragic."

Navaira's popularity was obvious during Charro Days, when he performed at the most well-attended day in Sombrero Fest history.

"He did at fantastic job here," said Roy de los Santos, president of Sombero Fest. "We couldn't have been prouder."

In Brownsville, the audience was as mixed as Navaira's oeuvre. Although he became famous for his Tejano music, Navaira gained country music fans after "It's Not the End of the World" reached the Top 30 on the country charts in 1995.

But according to friends, music is only a part of Navaira's legacy.

"He goes beyond his call of duty to help those that are less fortunate-he has raised thousands and thousands of dollars for at risk youth in Texas," said Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr.

Lucio played in several of Navaira's charity golf tournaments in San Antonio, where the two got to know each other. With so many fans in the Valley, Lucio had hoped to invite Navaira to his own "Texas Legends Golf Classic," but the musician's current condition makes the invitation uncertain.

"We're praying for his recovery," Lucio said. "He's one of the most important Tejano musicians...he makes music that brings out the very best in Hispanic culture in the state."

If you have pictures of Emilio Navaira from Sombrero Fest or other concert that you'd like to share with others, e-mail them to dmaldonado@brownsvilleherald.com