EL PASO, Texas — A deadly crash involving multiple vehicles shut down all eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 near Eastlake early Monday morning, authorities confirmed. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office later identified the victim as Fernando Ario Jr., 29, who died at a hospital following the collision.
According to officials, the crash occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on I-10 East, prompting the complete closure of all eastbound lanes in the Eastlake area. Drivers were forced to seek alternate routes as emergency crews and investigators responded to the scene. As of early morning, no estimated time for reopening the roadway had been announced.
In an update released around 11:44 p.m., the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the crash involved multiple vehicles. Investigators said Ario was driving eastbound on I-10 when he failed to control his speed and rear-ended a semi-truck. The impact caused a chain reaction that involved additional vehicles, though authorities have not released details about other drivers or injuries.
Ario was transported to a nearby hospital following the crash, where he later succumbed to his injuries, officials said. His death marked another fatal incident on the busy interstate, which is frequently traveled by both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks during overnight hours.
At the scene, crews from ABC-7 reported seeing Special Traffic Investigators, indicating the seriousness of the crash. Investigators worked for several hours documenting evidence, examining vehicle damage, and reconstructing the sequence of events that led to the collision. The El Paso Police Department initially confirmed the roadway closure, while the sheriff’s office later provided details about the cause and fatality.
ABC-7 said attempts to reach the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the El Paso Fire Department earlier in the morning were unsuccessful, as officials were actively working the scene. Authorities have not yet said whether impairment, fatigue, or other factors played a role in the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information is expected to be released once investigators complete their review. Officials are urging drivers to use caution on interstate highways, particularly during overnight and early-morning hours when visibility and reaction times can be reduced. Motorists traveling through the Eastlake area were advised to monitor traffic updates and allow extra time while crews continue working to clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow.
