Nine-Vehicle Pile-Up Claims Life on Loop 375 in El Paso

A devastating nine-vehicle pile-up occurred on Loop 375 at MM38 (Edgemere Northbound Lanes) on November 9, 2023, at approximately 5:29 pm, resulting in one fatality. The Special Traffic Investigations unit was summoned to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation.

The preliminary investigation indicated that the heavy tow truck, driven by 50-year-old Antonio Zubia, was traveling north on Loop 375 when traffic slowed due to congestion. In an attempt to avoid a collision with the Ford Edge (driven by 34-year-old Daniel Alamos), Zubia swerved but was unsuccessful, colliding with the rear of the vehicle. This initiated a chain reaction, with the Ford Edge subsequently striking a Dodge Charger, driven by 47-year-old Antonio Dominguez of Chaparral, New Mexico, which then collided with a 2000 Honda Accord, driven by a 28-year-old male.

Tragically, the Accord caught fire and was redirected, impacting the rear of a Ford Ranger, driven by 56-year-old John Charles Gardiner. Despite evasive maneuvers by a Toyota Camry, driven by Martin Torres, a Pontiac G5, driven by 29-year-old Steven Valenzuela, and a Hyundai Tucson, driven by 29-year-old Steven Valenzuela, they were unable to avoid the cascading crashes. All vehicles, except the Tucson and the Elantra, caught fire as a result.

Emergency services responded promptly, and all drivers were transported to a local hospital for medical attention. The driver of the Honda Accord succumbed to their injuries at the scene.

This incident marks the 68th traffic fatality this year, an unfortunate increase compared to the 63 fatalities recorded at the same time last year. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.