DPS Provides Update on Aggressive Driving Crash on U.S. 87

A three-vehicle crash on US 87 N near Water Valley resulted in a man being trapped inside his SUV.

According to DPS Trooper Justin Baker, the crash appears to have been the result of “aggressive driving” on the part of one of the drivers in the crash. He did not finger which one, as the investigation has just started.

A truck tractor towing a semi trailer, a Chevrolet pickup, and an SUV were involved. The SUV is flipped over and firefighters are attempting to free the male driver. Over the radio, EMS personnel said the driver’s arm was pinned.

The driver of the pickup and the driver of the semi were seen in a harsh exchange of words.

The crash happened just after 1 p.m. The driver was successfully extracted at 2:01 p.m.

We will update the story when more information is available.

Update 2:30 p.m.

According to the initial results of the DPS investigation, the black Chevrolet Trailblazer and the sand truck were southbound in the 17200 block of US 87 N in Water Valley. The sand truck was in the outside lane, and the Trailblazer in the inside lane.

The driver of a white 2015 Chevrolet Silverado pickup was southbound behind them, and attempted to pass both vehicles on the right, by driving onto the shoulder of the highway. DPS said that they were told that the sand truck driver steered his rig slightly right and the Silverado hit the sand truck, spinning out.

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As the Chevy truck spun, it clipped the Trailblazer, causing the SUV to roll onto its side. The driver of the Trailblazer was trapped for nearly an hour but was cut loose by San Angelo’s firefighters and transported to Shannon Medical Center with incapacitating injuries, DPS said.

Tending the scene were Tom Green County Sheriff’s deputies, DPS, and San Angelo Fire Department and EMS personnel.

Update 5:36 p.m.

In a press release Wednesday evening, Trooper Justin Baker released up-to-date information on the crash that left one man entrapped in his SUV on U.S. 87. 

Baker stated that Jose Rodriguez, 38, of Hildago, Texas was traveling above the posted speed limit in his 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, and passed the driver of a 2013 Mack Truck Tractor and towed unit, Clyde Barry Powell, 56, of Bay City, Texas, on the shoulder of the highway. Rodriguez then struck the front right of the truck tractor, causing his Silverado to strike the driver of a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The Trailblazer then went into a left side skid and rolled left over top in the center median.

Video below, extracting the driver of the black Trailblazer.

The driver of the SUV, J.W. Jones, 54, of Midland, Texas, was trapped in the vehicle for over an hour until emergency personnel were able to pull him from the vehicle. Jones was transported to Shannon Medical Center with incapacitating injuries. 

Baker stated that Rodriguez was issued a citation for driving while license invalid. No other citations or arrests have been made at this time pending further investigation.