13 fatal crashes in February: Basin roads see spike in deadly crashes, DPS warns drivers
PERMIAN BASIN, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reporting a significant rise in crashes across the Permian Basin, with 13 fatal accidents recorded in February alone.
DPS officials say driver behavior continues to be the leading cause of these crashes.
'The underlying cause continues to be driver behavior,' DPS Sgt. Steven Blanco said. 'We have drivers not stopping at stop signs or red lights. Drivers failing to yield at the right of way. Drivers driving on the wrong side of the road. Driving aggressively, trying to take other vehicles or intoxicated. We also see drivers on the phone or other items within the vehicle.'
In response, DPS has launched a safety campaign to coincide with Spring Break and St. Patrick's Day, two periods that historically see increased road traffic and impaired driving incidents. As part of the campaign, the department is increasing the number of troopers on patrol in an effort to reduce crashes and improve roadway safety.
We spoke with Sgt. Blanco, on lowering the crash rate in the Basin and some helpful tips for drivers. You can hear that in the video below:
Drivers are urged to remain vigilant, obey traffic laws, and avoid distractions while behind the wheel.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Victim identified in Clay County fatal pedestrian incident
CLAY COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — One person died after a vehicle vs pedestrian incident in Clay County on Friday, June 6, on highway US 287 near N. Butler Road. Clay County vehicle and pedestrian incident leaves one dead According to Texas DPS Sergeant Juan Gutierrez, the preliminary investigation revealed that a 2015 Honda Accord, driven by Cara Chitwood, 42, from Henrietta, was traveling northwest on US 82 when the vehicle experienced mechanical issues and stopped on the left shoulder, although partially in the left lane. Chitwood then exited the vehicle, making them a pedestrian, and then stood in the left lane to inspect the car. A Dodge Ram was also traveling northwest on US 82 in the left lane and struck Chitwood and her car. Chitwood was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Gutierrez, the incident remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Illegal tire dumping in DeKalb County: 3 people arrested
The Brief DeKalb County Police arrested three individuals for illegally dumping old tires in DeKalb County. Tires, dumped mostly at night, have created safety concerns, blocking fire lanes and posing a fire hazard, at a local preschool. While police continue their investigation, DeKalb County Code Compliance crews are working to remove the tires, though preschool staffers feel the cleanup has been too slow. DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County Police have arrested three individuals suspected of illegally dumping old tires in DeKalb County. The arrests come after weeks of mounting frustration at Little Linguists International Preschool, located just off Covington Highway. Hundreds of old tires have been dumped outside a local preschool and other locations nearby. PREVIOUS STORY: Illegal tire dumping plagues DeKalb County preschool, sparks safety concerns What we know Earlier this month, staffers returned from Spring Break to find dozens of tires dumped outside the school's front gate on East Clubhouse Circle — a problem they say has only worsened with time. "This street was empty about two weeks ago," said Cierra Scott, a staff member at the preschool. "Throughout the last couple weeks, they have been dumping in the middle of the night." Police believe the individuals arrested are responsible for multiple incidents of illegal dumping across the area. In addition to the preschool, tires have also been left near a nearby apartment complex and next to a building destroyed by fire. What they're saying Scott and her colleagues say the piles of tires have created not only an eyesore but also a serious safety concern. "It is a nuisance, we don't want it here," Scott said. "We really just came back from Spring Break all refreshed and rejuvenated, and we saw this headache." She also warned that the tire piles block critical access routes. "It's a fire hazard because if something were to happen, the people that live right there, this is their fire lane," Scott said. The DeKalb County Police Department said they have been actively investigating the illegal dumping since school officials first raised concerns. In a statement, the agency confirmed its investigators are working to identify all responsible parties, while Code Compliance crews continue efforts to remove the dumped tires. "DeKalb County Police have been actively investigating the reports of illegal tire dumping since school officials first reached out. DKPD has been responsive to the school every time they have made contact," the department said in an emailed statement. "While our investigators search for those responsible for the illegal dumping, DKPD says Code Compliance is working on removing the tires. DKPD is investigating similar reports at other locations in the area." Staffers at the preschool told FOX 5 Atlanta that they believe the cleanup process has been too slow. What we don't know At this time, DeKalb County police have not released the names or mug shots of the suspects. Check back for updates.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
St. Paul police name detective, officer, employee of the year
St. Paul's police chief on Thursday named a homicide investigator as Detective of the Year and a patrol officer who regularly recovers firearms and large amounts of drugs as Officer of the Year. Sgt. Jennifer O'Donnell, a St. Paul officer of more than 30 years who works in the homicide/robbery unit, was the primary investigator on 156 homicides, robberies and aggravated assaults last year and assisted on more, according to her commendation. She was the primary investigator in the fatal shooting of Nicholas Sletten, 42, in the North End in October. Murder charges were filed in January. 'This was a complex investigation that required ongoing intensive work,' said O'Donnell's commendation, which described her and her colleagues as working 'tirelessly' on the case. Chief Axel Henry named Abdirahman Dahir as 2024 Officer of the Year. He grew up in St. Paul, became a Police Explorer at age 14, and later a St. Paul parking enforcement officer before he joined the department's police academy in 2021. A patrol officer in the Western District, Dahir recovered 22 handguns, of which 3 were stolen and one a 'ghost gun,' and several thousand fentanyl pills during 18 stops last year that were either traffic or investigative, his commendation said, adding that last year 'was not an anomaly.' Dahir recovered 30 handguns the year before. Richard Bertholf, who works in the police Video Management Unit, was recognized as Professional Employee of the Year. When Andre L. Mitchell, 26, was shot and killed while two children were in his backseat in November, Bertholf 'immediately responded to multiple urgent requests to gather nearby video that may have captured the shooting,' his commendation said. He found videos that showed four people shooting at Mitchell and two suspect vehicles, and gathered information about suspects. Four people have been charged in Mitchell's murder. Don't pay for traffic tickets over text: DPS warns of scam messages Who's in charge? CDC's leadership 'crisis' apparent amid new COVID-19 vaccine guidance DOC commissioner asks for patience from Stillwater prison families, dismisses idea of reopening Appleton prison Measles vaccination rates drop after COVID-19 pandemic in counties across the US 40 St. Paul street lights stripped of copper wiring, though reports are down overall
