A 23-year-old Fabens woman died after a weekend ATV crash on Landfill Road, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to reports of a serious collision in the 200 block of Landfill Road at about 6:11 p.m. Saturday. A two-person ATV had gone off the roadway and hit an electrical pole, ejecting both riders. Both were taken to a local hospital, where one of them later died.
Investigators told KFOX that a blue Yamaha ATV was traveling northbound when the driver failed to negotiate a curve. The ATV left the road onto an unimproved shoulder before striking the pole, and both the driver and passenger were thrown from the vehicle on impact. First responders transported both occupants to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
KFOX identified the person who died as 23-year-old Fabens resident Cassandra Silva. Sheriff Oscar Ugarte reiterated that ATVs are not designed or permitted for use on public roadways and urged riders to stick to designated areas and to use helmets and other safety gear. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says the crash remains under investigation.
ATV Rules And Road Risks In Texas
Under Texas law, ATVs are treated as off-highway vehicles that are not intended for regular street use. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles notes that ATVs and similar off-highway vehicles are not eligible for standard registration and may be driven on public roads only in limited situations, such as within master-planned communities or on certain low-speed roads that meet specific equipment and marking requirements. TxDMV advises operators to understand the required safety equipment and to check local ordinances that can further restrict road use.
Investigation Continues
The sheriff's office says it is continuing to investigate the Fabens crash and has not released additional details about possible contributing factors. Sheriff Ugarte's warning aligns with repeated messages from local agencies that operating ATVs on paved public roads significantly raises the risk of serious injury or death.
