A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was airlifted with serious injuries following a head-on collision near Alpine that left the driver of a pickup truck dead, according to information provided to Big Bend Reporter by a source familiar with the incident.
The crash occurred Tuesday on U.S. Highway 67 near the junction with State Highway 118. Earlier photos from the scene showed a DPS Chevrolet Tahoe overturned on its side and a heavily damaged pickup truck.
According to information provided to Big Bend Reporter, the driver of the pickup truck was killed in the crash. The source stated the driver was an undocumented immigrant and was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the collision. Big Bend Reporter has not independently verified those claims, and authorities had not publicly released information regarding the driver’s identity, immigration status, or toxicology results as of publication.
The source said the DPS trooper became trapped inside the vehicle and suffered severe leg injuries. Emergency responders reportedly extricated the trooper from the wreckage before the trooper was transported by air ambulance for treatment.
The source further stated that the pickup truck crossed into the opposing lane while attempting to pass another vehicle in a curve, leaving the trooper little time to avoid the collision. Those details have not yet been confirmed by DPS investigators.
Witnesses earlier described the crash as a head-on collision on a dangerous stretch of highway known for limited sight distances and blind curves.
DPS has not yet released an official statement detailing the cause of the crash, the condition of the trooper, or any findings from the preliminary investigation.
Big Bend Reporter has contacted DPS for additional information and will update this story as official details become available.
Editor’s Note: Portions of this report are based on information provided by a source who requested anonymity. The information has not yet been independently confirmed by DPS or other official agencies.
