Deputies work 2 accidents-same location-minutes apart as Explorers witness 2nd accident
El Paso County Sheriff's Office
3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / Public Information Officer
Direct: (915) 538-2223
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
Release Date & Time: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 4:15 PM
WHO: El Paso County Sheriff's Office
WHAT: 2 accidents - same location -minutes apart
WHERE: Loop 375 Mile Post 34 (north & southbound lanes) El Paso County, Texas
WHEN: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at approximately 1:15 PM & 1:45 PM
WHY: Accidents under investigation
Information:
Accident #1
On Tuesday, 06-24-08 at 1:15 PM Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the area of Loop 375 Mile Post 34 in reference to a single vehicle roll-over with possible injuries. Deputies arrived moments later and began working the accident. Deputies determined that a gold 2001 Chevrolet Blazer driven by a 38 year-old female driver was traveling southbound on Loop 375. The Chevrolet Blazer swerved right to avoid colliding with another vehicle then swerved left driving into the median and overcorrected right driving across the main travel southbound lanes losing control of the truck. The Blazer rolled on its side and stopped facing north in the desert area just next to the southbound lanes of Loop 375.
There were 2 occupants in the Chevrolet Blazer. It was driven by 38 year-old Rebecca De Leon Fernandez (38) of the 10000 block of Kenworthy, El Paso, TX. She was accompanied by her 13 year-old son who was sitting in the front passenger seat (he will not be identified because of his age). Both were wearing seatbelts and did not suffer serious bodily injuries. they were transported by Ambulance to a local hospital for further evaluation. This accident is still under investigation. About 200 yards of a southbound lane of traffic was closed for about an hour.
Accident #2
On Tuesday, 06-24-08 at 1:45 PM while Sheriff Deputies were working an accident on Loop 375 Mile Post 34 (just right of the southbound lanes). Deputies witnessed a second accident take place on the northbound lanes. A gold 1995 Toyota Camry driven by a 20 year-old female driver was traveling northbound approaching Loop 375 MM 34. The driver of the Camry suddenly slowed down due to the accident on the southbound lanes when she was struck from behind by a 2008 GMC Sierra pick-up truck. The truck was driven by a 30 year-old male traveling directly behind the Camry. The impact caused the driver of the Camry to drive into the median and across the southbound lanes & into the desert area about 50 yards from where the 1st vehicle rollover accident was located. Southbound traffic stopped just avoiding colliding head-on into the Camry. No injuries were suffered in this 2nd accident. Deputies continue the accident investigation.
Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Section /Sheriff's Office Explorers witness accident
As Deputies were working the 1st accident rollover. The El Paso County Crime Prevention Section was hosting a course for Sheriff's Office Explorers relating to traffic accidents. This course shows students how to work a traffic accidents & teaches them about accident measurements & scene safety. The Sheriff's Office Explorers were then transported to the site of the roll-over accident to get a 1st hand look at an accident scene. After the occupants were transported to the hospital and the accident site was deemed safe. The Sheriff's Office Explorers accompanied by Deputies in the Crime Prevention section were observing how an accident is handled when suddenly they witnessed a 2nd accident take place. At no time were any Sheriff's Deputies or Sheriff's Office Explorers in harms way. Right now, the Crime Prevention Section along with Sheriff's Office Explorers are getting ready to attend the 2008 National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference (NLEEC) being held at Colorado State university, Ft. Collins, Colorado in late July 2008. For more information on the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Explorer Program contact (915) 921-5150.
