safety
Alpine head-on crash: 1 dead, DPS trooper Zach Vasquez seriously injured
By Gabriella Meza at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· June 24, 2026
· 1 min read
A Texas DPS trooper was seriously injured and another driver was killed in a head-on crash along U.S. Highway 67 east of Alpine, with the cause of the crash still under investigation.
Key takeaway Highway 67 east of Alpine, with the cause of the crash still under investigation.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The fatal head-on crash on U.S. Highway 67 east of Alpine is a stark reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face every day, particularly those working in rural areas like the Permian Basin. The serious injury of a Texas DPS trooper in this incident will likely have a ripple effect on local public safety efforts, as the department may need to adjust its staffing and resources to accommodate the trooper's recovery. This crash also underscores the need for continued vigilance on rural highways, where the risk of fatal accidents can be higher due to factors such as limited visibility and high speeds. As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, local residents will be watching closely to see what steps can be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future, and how the community can support the injured trooper and the family of the deceased driver.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Odessa stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Texas DPS trooper was seriously injured and another driver was killed in a head-on crash along U.S. Highway 67 east of Alpine, with the cause of the crash still under investigation.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabriella Meza at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter