Christian Rojelio Zubia, 30 from Odessa, sits charged with manslaughter after a night that ended with a man dead outside a Midland nightclub. It happened Thursday, October 8, 2026, in the 1700 block of Rankin Highway.
Police got called at about 10:46 p.m. for a crash between a 2018 black Jeep Wrangler and a pedestrian. Officers arrived and found Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr., 24 also of Odessa, in the roadway. He had died from the injuries.
Witnesses said Jose jumped on the hood of Zubia’s Jeep. Zubia then sped up while turning south. Jose fell and suffered the injuries that killed him. Details on why it started remain thin so far.
Zubia left the scene right after. Midland police teamed up with Odessa police. They used FLOCK technology to help find him in Odessa.
Arrest followed. The manslaughter charge is on the books now. Investigators still piece together the full story of what went down that night near the club.
Jose was 24 with his life still opening up. His family got notified and now carry the weight of losing him so sudden. Friends face the same hard reality.
The Midland Police Department says the probe continues. More facts may come as they work. For now the focus stays on what the evidence shows about the Jeep, the fall, and the moments outside on Rankin Highway.
Jose Alfredo Soto Navarrete Jr. of Odessa died that Thursday night. Zubia faces the charge while the legal side moves ahead.








