UPTON COUNTY, Texas — Upton County experienced road closure delays on SH 349 on Tuesday due to a "major accident," NewWest 9 now learns the accident was fatal according to a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) crash report.
Texas DPS responded to a scene at 1:23 p.m. after a 2020 Nissan Altima driven by 28-year-old Joel Garza was traveling northbound on SH 349 on the wrong side of the roadway in the outer southbound lane. A 2020 Western Star truck with a trailer driven by Ruben Rodriguez, 60, was traveling southbound in the inner lane.
Still traveling the wrong way, Garza then collided with Rodriguez and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Rodriguez was transported to Rankin Hospital with minor injuries.
It was reported that both drivers were wearing a seatbelt.
The crash is still under investigation, no further information can be provided at this time.
