Texas sheriff conducting criminal investigation into deadly National Guard helicopter crash near border

A deadly crash involving a National Guard helicopter is the focus of an investigation in Texas into whether there was any criminal wrongdoing involved, ABC News has learned.The March 8 incident near the U.S.-Mexico border resulted in the deaths of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, who were members of the New York Army National Guard, and U.S.Border Patrol agent Chris Luna, a South Texas resident, U.S.

officials said.An unidentified National Guard member was injured in the collision, which occurred in rural Starr County.Although the crash involved a New York-based crew, the UH-72 Lakota helicopter was assigned to Washington, D.C.’s Army National Guard, according to military officials.The cause of the crash has not yet been released.New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, left, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, were killed when a UH-72 Lakota helicopter they were flying crashed near, Rio Grande City, Texas, Mar.8, 2024.New York Army National Guard"The case has been turned over to the Department of Defense, however, we still are doing our own investigation to determine whether or not any type of criminal activity may have occurred," Major Carlos Delgado of the Starr County Sheriff's Office told ABC News by email.Delgado later noted that "the official investigation started immediately after a call was placed to our office requesting emergency medical services and our presence.”Related StoriesUS to withdraw troops from NigerApr 25, 4:24 AMJohnson alleges Hamas support for protests1 hour agoGOP mulls next move after Kansas governor vetoes effort to help Texas in border security fightApr 25, 1:04 PMThe existence of this investigation was disclosed after ABC News requested a number of public records pertaining to the crash from officials in Starr County under the Texas Public Information Act.The Office of the Starr County Attorney and the Starr County Sheriff’s Office initially ref...