El Paso Records First Traffic Fatality of 2024 in Collision on Gateway East

Special Traffic Investigators from the El Paso Police Department are currently probing a fatal collision that occurred at 8600 Gateway East on January 2nd, marking the first traffic fatality in the city for 2024.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident involved a U-Haul-type truck and another vehicle. The U-Haul truck, traveling at a slower pace in the center lane of Gateway East after entering from Pendale, was struck from behind by the second vehicle. The other vehicle, believed to be traveling at a high speed, attempted to change lanes into the right-hand lane, resulting in the collision with the U-Haul.

The impact caused the second vehicle to lose control and come to a rest in the left lane. The collision resulted in severe injuries to the 31-year-old Hispanic female driver of the second vehicle, whose roof was torn open upon impact. Tragically, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the U-Haul truck sustained minor injuries and was transported to Del Sol.

This marks the first traffic fatality of the year in El Paso, in contrast to no fatalities reported at this time last year. The investigation is ongoing.