ECTOR COUNTY, Texas — A tragic two-vehicle crash on US 385 in Ector County Friday evening resulted in the death of a local Andrews man and injuries to three others, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The collision occurred around 7:15 p.m. near mile marker 342. Preliminary reports from DPS indicate that 22-year-old Carlos Ramos of Amarillo was driving a 2015 Peterbilt with a trailer northbound in the outside lane when he experienced a front left tire blowout. Losing control of the vehicle, Ramos crossed the center median and began driving northbound in the southbound lanes.

Attempting to return to the correct side by crossing back over the cable barrier, Ramos collided with a southbound 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 driven by 40-year-old Jesus Padilla of Andrews.

Johnny Saenz, 33, the front passenger in Padilla’s vehicle and also from Andrews, was critically injured and later pronounced dead at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. Another passenger, 40-year-old Sergio Mingura of Andrews, along with Ramos and Padilla, sustained minor injuries and were also treated at the hospital.

The Texas Department of Public Safety continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. No further details have been released at this time.