Tragedy struck the 1400 block of George Dieter when a vehicle collided with two pedestrians at a crosswalk. The Special Traffic Investigations unit (STI) reported that a Ford F150, exiting a parking lot, made a turn heading south and hit the individuals as they were legally crossing the street. In an unfortunate development, the City of El Paso announced that one of the victims, Elena Alarcon, succumbed to her injuries.
Investigators have pointed to the failure of the driver to yield the right of way to the pedestrians as a contributing factor in the accident. Alarcon and the other pedestrian, identified as Vasquez, were both taken to the hospital with serious injuries shortly after the incident occurred. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Alarcon's injuries proved to be fatal. This incident marks the city's 55th traffic fatality of the year, slightly down from last year’s number at this same point in time, according to the City of El Paso.
The impact of this collision resonates beyond just statistics. It echoes in the lives of those who knew Elena Alarcon and the community that now mourns her loss. The local authorities have reiterated the importance of road safety and the critical need for drivers to adhere to traffic rules, especially regarding pedestrian right-of-way.
