MARTIN COUNTY, Texas – A 64-year-old McAllen man died after a tire blowout sent a tractor-trailer across the median of Interstate 20 and into oncoming traffic Sunday morning, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
DPS identified the man as Jose Mexicano. He was driving a 2022 Kenworth T680 tractor-trailer east on I-20 when the crash occurred in Martin County, east of Midland.
Investigators said a 2022 International LT tractor-trailer was traveling west when one of its tires blew out. The International veered into the center median, crossed into the eastbound lanes and collided with Mexicano's Kenworth and a 2005 Kenworth that was towing a trailer.
Emergency crews transported Mexicano to Midland Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The drivers of the International and the second Kenworth were also taken to the hospital with injuries described by DPS as minor.
DPS had not released the names of the other two drivers or additional information about the time and precise location of the crash. The agency said the collision remained under investigation.
The initial report did not indicate whether weather, speed or other factors contributed beyond the tire failure. DPS crash investigations can include inspections of the vehicles, roadway evidence and statements from drivers and witnesses before a final report is completed.
