FATAL ROLLOVER IN FAR EAST EL PASO KILLS (5)

NEWS RELEASE

El Paso County Texas-On Monday, 07-30-12, at approximately 1:00 AM, Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to IH-10 (MM-53), El Paso County, TX, in reference to a motor vehicle accident(MVA) with multiple fatalities. Sheriff’s Special Traffic Investigators were summoned to the scene.

Traffic investigators revealed a tire from a 2000 Honda Odyssey (Van) blew out and caused the driver of the van to lose control and roll over as it traveled on IH-10 (MM-53) on the left lane. The van landed across both eastbound lanes of IH-10. A 2002 Ford Expedition traveling eastbound on IH-10 swerved to the left to avoid colliding with the van and rolled over once landing upright on the inside improved shoulder of westbound traffic. A tractor/semi-trailer combination, traveling eastbound on IH-10 crashed into the overturned van pushing the van into the south desert area of IH-10.

Six out of the eight occupants of the Honda Odyssey were ejected leaving a driver and child inside the van at the time it was struck by the semi-truck. Five of the eight occupants died at the scene with three transported to a local area hospital. Two of which are in critical condition. No occupants (2-adults and 1-child) of the Ford Expedition were ejected or injured. The 49 year old driver of the semi-truck was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and was later released.

Survivors of the Honda Odyssey include; 2-females/12 yoa & 1-female/1 yoa. The following were pronounced dead at the scene; Brittney Leigh Barnes 25 yoa, Candace Denise Barnes 48 yoa, Aaron Israel Arenas 5 yoa, Caiden Matthew Barnes 4 yoa, Bethanie Ann Barnes 1 yoa. The group of eight are residents of El Paso and were returning from a family trip.

IH-10 east and westbound lanes were closed this morning and were reopened by 10:30 AM. The investigation continues. Neither speed nor alcohol are factors to the crash. No criminal charges are pending. The investigation continues.

EPCSO Traffic Investigators have investigated a total of (15) accident related fatalities compared to (3) in 2011 at this time.