A 65-year-old man riding in a tow truck died after the driver failed to stop and crashed into vehicles at an intersection on Transmountain Drive, causing a massive fiery multi-vehicle crash, authorities said.
The 65-year-old man, whose name was not released, died, and seven other people were injured in the multi-vehicle crash about 6:20 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at the intersection of Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive and North Desert Road, El Paso Police Department spokesperson Det. Judy Oviedo wrote in a news release.
Alfredo Campos, 28, and the 65-year-old man were in a Yellow Kenworthy tow truck on their way to tow a semitruck and trailer that broke down on Transmountain Drive, the news release states.
Campos, “for unknown reasons,” could not stop the tow truck as it approached the intersection of Transmountain Drive and North Desert Road, the news release states. The tow truck crashed into several vehicles waiting at a red light at the intersection.
The crash involved 12 vehicles. Seven people were injured in the fiery wreck. The severity of the injuries was not released. The victims’ ages ranged from 30 to 55 years old.
No further information was released as police continue to investigate the wreck.
The 65-year-old man’s death is the 22nd traffic-related death of 2025 compared to 23 at this same time last year.
The roadway remained closed Friday, May 9, as Texas Department of Transportation crews were still on the scene clearing the road, TxDOT officials said in a post on X. The roadway is expected to reopen before 4 p.m. Friday, May 9.
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on X/Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Man dies, 7 injured after tow truck causes massive wreck on Transmountain in West El Paso
Reporting by Aaron Martinez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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