TEMPLE, Texas — Authorities have identified the man killed in a deadly crash involving two semi-trucks on Interstate 35 in Temple as 41-year-old Leonel Benavides Jr. of Laredo. The fatal collision happened Thursday morning in the northbound lanes near Midway Drive and was linked to traffic backups from an earlier, separate accident.
According to officials, Benavides was driving a semi-truck northbound on I-35 when he crashed into the rear of another semi that had come to a stop because of heavy traffic ahead. That traffic slowdown was caused by a prior crash involving two passenger vehicles, which also resulted in one fatality earlier in the day.
Investigators said the semi Benavides struck was stopped due to the congestion created by the initial accident scene. The impact of the collision was severe, and Benavides was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that there were no other injuries reported in this secondary crash involving the two commercial vehicles.
Emergency responders, including police, fire crews, and EMS, rushed to the area after the crash was reported. Traffic along northbound I-35 was significantly affected as crews worked to secure the scene, investigate the collision, and clear debris from the roadway. Drivers experienced major delays for several hours.
Officials noted that the earlier accident involving two cars had already placed strain on traffic flow along the busy interstate. That crash, which occurred prior to the semi-truck collision, also claimed a life, further underscoring the dangerous conditions motorists faced along the stretch of highway Thursday morning.
The crash involving Benavides remains under investigation as authorities work to determine all contributing factors, including traffic conditions and visibility at the time of the collision. The death of Leonel Benavides Jr. marks another tragic loss on Central Texas roadways, and officials are urging drivers — especially those operating large commercial vehicles — to remain alert and cautious when approaching areas with slowed or stopped traffic.
