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It was a regular Sunday for Rogerio Zuniga, a third generation farmer in the small community of Lozano, according to his sister Lisa Zuniga.

He was plowing the field on his tractor before hitting an irrigation pipe filled with hundreds of bees. "He got off the tractor and ran and apparently they caught up to him and he collapsed, and they stung his body to death," Lisa Zuniga said.

Family members saw his stalled tractor and ran to look for him, but by the time they found him through the tall, thick brush, it was too late. "He had gaping wounds, the bees shredded him basically. It was horrible," Lisa Zuniga said.

Family members and neighbors told Action 4 News they now fear for their own safety after hearing about the fatal incident.


"I got scared because I live here by myself and I get scared because when my grandkids come, they like to play outside, and I don't know what could be in the trees outside or anywhere," said Rosa Garcia, a neighbor and friend of the late Rogerio Zuniga.

Lisa Zuniga said she hopes action will be taken by Cameron County leaders to prevent another accident like the one that took her brother's life.

"We urge the county to be vigilant and as long as they are responsive to the cries of our community that these bees exist and they are very dangerous to our children and to our loved ones," Lisa Zuniga said.

The family wants Rogerio Zuniga to be remembered not by his tragic death, but by the strong legacy he left behind.

"We'd like for people to carry the legacy of loving each other and caring for each other when we need it, which is what he lived by and we'd like for him to be remembered that way," Lisa Zuniga said.

A viewing will be held for Rogerio Zuniga at the Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito on Wednesday, June 1 at 12 p.m.