11-08-2025
El Paso Police: Man dies when he hits tree, gets ejected
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 44-year-old man is dead after he was partially ejected from his vehicle after hitting a tree on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 9, in Northeast El Paso, according to the El Paso Police Department (EPPD).
1 person seriously hurt when vehicle hits tree in Northeast El Paso
Shortly before 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, officers were called to a traffic crash at the intersection of Dyer and Sanders.
Officers discovered that Antonio De Las Cruz, 44, had been partially ejected after hitting a tree. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died, according to EPPD.
The Special Traffic Investigations unit was called to assist, and the initial investigation revealed that De La Cruz was stopped behind a vehicle on Dyer for an unknown reason, according to EPPD.
EPPD said De La Cruz then drove around the car while the traffic signal was still red and made a left turn onto Sanders, striking a tree.
A contributing factor in this collision may be alcohol, police said. This is the 36th traffic fatality compared to 39 this same time last year, according to EPPD.
The Special Traffic Investigations unit continues its investigation.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Solve the daily Crossword