by DeSoto, Texas – A tragic multi-vehicle crash early Saturday morning claimed the life of a 26-year-old man and left two women seriously injured, leading to an extended shutdown of the southbound lanes of I-35E for several hours as investigators worked to piece together the sequence of events.
According to the DeSoto Police Department, officers were called to the scene in the 1400 block of North I-35E around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday after multiple collisions were reported. Authorities said the chain of crashes began with a single-vehicle accident that ended with a van flipped onto its side in the middle of the highway.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Fatal Crash
Police said the driver of the overturned van, identified as 26-year-old Jesus Huerta Luevano of Wilmer, managed to crawl out of his vehicle after the initial crash. However, moments later, while standing on the highway near his van, he was struck by a second vehicle, sustaining fatal injuries.
“The driver had exited the vehicle and was standing near the wreckage when he was hit by another passing car,” DeSoto police confirmed in a statement posted on social media.
After this second collision, a third and fourth vehicle traveling southbound on I-35E approached the scene and collided with both the van and the second vehicle, according to investigators. The repeated impacts created a pile-up that further complicated rescue and cleanup efforts.
Two Women Sustain Life-Threatening Injuries
Authorities said two female passengers in the third vehicle suffered serious, life-threatening injuries due to the secondary collisions. Emergency crews quickly responded and transported both women to a local hospital for treatment. Their current conditions have not yet been disclosed.
While the identity of the two injured women has not been released, police confirmed that all other drivers involved in the crash remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. There were no indications of intoxication or reckless driving at the time of the report, but officials stated that the investigation is still ongoing.
Road Closures and Investigation
The southbound lanes of I-35E in the affected area were closed for several hours Saturday morning as police and crash reconstruction teams conducted their investigation and cleared the debris. Traffic was redirected through nearby exits, causing major delays for early commuters.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed the identity of the deceased as Jesus Huerta Luevano, a resident of Wilmer. The official cause of death has been listed as multiple blunt-force injuries sustained during the crash.
Investigators are now reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and highway cameras to determine what may have caused the initial crash that led to the deadly chain reaction.
“The investigation remains active, and additional details will be released once available,” the DeSoto Police Department said.
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A Reminder of Roadway Dangers
This tragic incident serves as another reminder of how quickly accidents can escalate on high-speed interstates. Texas authorities continue to urge drivers to stay alert, reduce speed in dark or hazardous conditions, and move over or slow down when approaching an accident scene.
Motorists traveling through DeSoto are advised to use alternate routes until the investigation concludes and all lanes of I-35E are fully reopened.
The DeSoto Police Department is encouraging anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to contact their Traffic Division for further assistance as part of the ongoing inquiry.
What do you think about the growing number of nighttime highway accidents across Texas? Share your thoughts in the comments at mikeandjonpodcast.com.
