On April 13, 2007, Officer Esparza was en route to assist a fellow officer on an accident reported in the area of S.H. 114 and State Loop 12. A severe storm had just passed through the area that had produced large hail and several tornados. That "heavy" weather had passed and the city was experiencing intermittent heavy rain on the backside of the storm at the time.

Officer Esparza was involved in an automobile accident while en route to the assistance call.  He was transported by paramedics to Parkland Memorial Hospital (Dallas) in extremely critical condition. Later that evening the injuries received in the accident proved to be non-survivable, despite the tremendous efforts of the citizens, fellow officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors and nurses that worked to save him.