A tragic collision on Interstate 10 near the New Mexico state line claimed the lives of three individuals on Saturday evening. The westbound lanes of I-10 were shut down as emergency crews responded to the mass-casualty incident around 5:00 p.m. at mile post 391.
According to officials, the accident involved a semi-truck and an SUV. The semi’s cab was fully engulfed in flames upon the arrival of firefighters and emergency medical personnel. The truck driver managed to escape and survived the crash. However, three occupants of the SUV were pronounced dead at the scene. Two additional individuals in the SUV were flown to a Tucson hospital in critical condition.
The semi was traveling east on I-10 when it appears a tire failed on the driver's side which may have caused the driver to lose control and drive into and through the median before striking the SUV that was westbound.
Multiple resources from surrounding areas, including Bowie, San Simon, and Hidalgo County, responded. The westbound lanes of I-10 remained closed for several hours as officials worked to clear the wreckage and investigate the cause of the collision.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of those involved as they notify next of kin. The people in the SUV were ejected and died at the scene. The driver of the SUV and a passenger were flown to the hospital in critical condition. The driver of the semi was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
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