The Terry County community is mourning the loss of 66-year-old Tommie Hernandez of Levelland, who was killed in a single-vehicle crash Saturday evening. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed the fatal incident, which happened shortly after 7:15 p.m. near the 1200 block of County Road 200. The tragedy has left family, friends, and neighbors grieving the sudden loss of a man described by those who knew him as hardworking, caring, and deeply connected to his community.
According to the DPS crash report, Hernandez had been traveling eastbound in a 2007 Chevrolet pickup truck when the accident occurred. Investigators say his vehicle entered the soft barrow ditch along the side of the road, causing him to lose control. The pickup then overcorrected, sliding into a side skid before rolling. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and there were no passengers inside the truck at the time.
Emergency responders were immediately dispatched to the scene, but despite their efforts, Hernandez was pronounced dead upon their arrival. DPS noted in the report that Hernandez was not wearing a seatbelt. Authorities often emphasize that failing to wear a seatbelt greatly increases the risk of serious injury or death in rollover crashes, which remain among the deadliest types of single-vehicle accidents.
Investigators also confirmed that weather and road conditions were dry and clear at the time of the crash. The posted speed limit on County Road 200 is 60 mph, and although the report did not list excessive speed as a contributing factor, officials continue to examine all details to determine what may have led to the vehicle drifting off the roadway. The investigation remains ongoing, and DPS will release further updates if additional information becomes available.
Residents in Levelland and Terry County have expressed sympathy and sadness as news of the fatal crash spreads. For many, such tragedies serve as a sobering reminder of how quickly an ordinary drive can turn deadly. Local authorities use incidents like these to urge drivers to stay alert, slow down when necessary, and always buckle up—especially on rural roads where ditches, narrow lanes, and sudden changes in terrain can create unexpected hazards.
As loved ones prepare to honor Hernandez’s memory, the community stands together in support, holding his family in their thoughts during this painful and unexpected loss.
