Odessa, TX (October 23, 2026) – A 71-year-old Odessa man is dead after a red Ford Mustang left N. JBS Parkway and hit the back of his Kia.
Odessa Police and Odessa Fire Rescue were called to the street around 3:31 p.m. Thursday, October 22.
A 71-year-old man was in the white Kia, which was stopped in the left turn lane facing north. The Mustang had been traveling north in the inside lane. Cervantez
The Kia was hit from behind, which set off a chain-reaction collision involving two vehicles heading south. A silver Lexus was in the inside lane, and a brown Ford F-150 was in the middle lane.
The Kia driver was taken to a hospital and later died.
The investigation into the accident remains ongoing.
Our condolences go out to the Kia driver's family and friends.
Why Multi-Vehicle Pileups Raise Hard Fault Questions in Odessa, TX
When three or more vehicles are involved in a pileup, fault rarely falls on one driver alone. Texas uses a proportionate responsibility system, which means a jury or insurer assigns each person a percentage of blame. A person found more than 50 percent responsible generally cannot recover damages, and anyone with a lower share has their recovery reduced by that percentage.
Those percentages matter because each defendant is usually responsible only for their own share. Under Texas's joint and several liability rule, though, a defendant found more than 50 percent responsible can be held liable for the entire amount. Defendants may also try to name a responsible third party, such as another driver, to shift blame away from themselves.
On busy routes, sudden stops in heavy traffic can set off a chain of contact between vehicles. Sorting out the order in which they touched usually depends on evidence: damage patterns, event data recorders, photographs, traffic or dash camera video, and statements from every driver. A wrongful death lawyer can review those materials, work with reconstruction specialists, and help explain how each driver's share of fault may affect a claim.
At Brian C. Gutierrez, PLLC, we are open to help families facing these kinds of situations understand the options that may be available after a fatal accident in Texas.
To learn more, you can call Brian C. Gutierrez, PLLC at (979) 243-9912. We can go over your case and explain what next steps you could take.
Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, Brian C. Gutierrez, PLLC has not independently verified all details of the incident reported. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Brian C. Gutierrez, PLLC so we can promptly review and update the content.
Disclaimer: The content of this post is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Brian C. Gutierrez, PLLC. If you have been injured in an accident, seek appropriate medical care and consult a qualified attorney regarding your legal options. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual accident scene or individuals involved.
