AMARILLO POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEDIA/PUBLIC RELEASE
DATE: May 31, 2025
TIME: 3:54AM
CASE NUMBER: 25-507935
INCIDENT TYPE: Traffic crash/drowning
OFFICER SUBMITTING RELEASE: Sgt. Carla Burr-PIO
DETAILS: On Saturday, May 31, 2025, at approximately 3:54 AM Amarillo police officers were called to the area of 77th and Soncy to meet Randall County deputies on a vehicle that had crashed into the Playa Lake. When officers arrived, they learned a female had been seen by a passerby walking on Soncy and was soaking wet. Witnesses called in, and when deputies arrived, the woman told the deputies she was with her boyfriend and they had crashed into the playa lake. She said she was able to get out, but she wasn’t sure where he was. The Amarillo police dive team was called at approximately 4:30 AM and responded to the scene. An APD drone was used to locate the vehicle in the water. The dive team was able to recover the vehicle, and no one was found inside. The dive team went back into the water and after searching the area located the driver and he was deceased. He is identified as Joel Montijo age 22 and his family has been notified. Justice of the Peace Crump responded to the scene and an autopsy has been ordered. This incident is still under investigation.
