A devastating crash Tuesday evening in Glasscock County claimed the life of a Midland man and left another man seriously injured. The collision involved a pickup truck and a semi-truck with a trailer and sparked a fire, authorities said. The tragic incident has left family and friends mourning while investigators work to determine the cause.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred around 6 p.m. on February 17 along State Highway 158 near mile marker 314. Officials said a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2001 Kenworth W900 with a trailer were involved. The crash took place in the northwest lanes of the highway, a busy stretch that connects several rural communities.
Preliminary information from DPS indicates that the Kenworth, driven by 56-year-old Felipe Trejo of Laredo, was traveling northwest in the left lane while attempting to turn left onto a lease road. At the same time, the Silverado, driven by 28-year-old Edgar Abdon Barraza of Midland, was also traveling northwest in the same lane. For reasons still under investigation, the Silverado struck the rear of the semi-trailer, causing the pickup to catch fire.
The impact was catastrophic. Edgar Barraza was pronounced dead at the scene. DPS confirmed that Barraza had been wearing a seatbelt, but the collision and ensuing fire left him with fatal injuries. Trejo was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital in serious condition. Officials noted that he was also wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The Silverado became fully engulfed in flames following the collision, adding to the severity of the accident. Emergency responders worked quickly to contain the fire and assist the injured driver. DPS officials are continuing to investigate the crash to determine exactly how the collision occurred and whether any additional factors, such as speed or road conditions, played a role.
The crash remains under investigation, and authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the Texas Department of Public Safety. Meanwhile, the Midland community and loved ones of Edgar Barraza are left grappling with a sudden and tragic loss, highlighting the dangers of high-speed collisions involving large commercial vehicles on rural highways.
