Quick Facts:
Where: The accident occurred on Highway 349 in Upton County, Texas.
What Happened: A tractor-trailer allegedly lost control and struck a car.
Participants:
- Juan Amaya, driver of tractor-trailer
- Leslie Valente, driver of car
- Liam Sosa, passenger in car
- Second passenger in car
- Third passenger in car
Reported Injuries/Fatalities:
- Liam Sosa, 3, killed
- Leslie Valente, injured
- Second passenger in car, 2, injured
- Third passenger in car, 20, injured
Details:
On or about Thursday, January 21st, 2021, an accident between a car and a tractor-trailer claimed the life of a 3-year-old boy and sent several other people to the hospital. Troopers from the Department of Public Safety said the accident happened on Highway 349 outside Rankin in Upton County, Texas.
Authorities from the DPS said 3-year-old Liam Sosa was killed when a tractor-trailer allegedly lost control on wet roads and slammed into a car driven by Leslie Valente. Sosa died of his injuries a short time after the accident, while Valente and two other passengers were taken to the hospital with unspecified injuries. Officials identified the truck driver as Juan Amaya, who did not report injuries after the accidnet.
According to Google Maps, the scene of the accident is about 18 miles north of Rankin. Rankin is situated roughly 62 miles south of Odessa.
State and local police are investigating the accident.