ECTOR COUNTY, Texas — An Odessa man is dead following a two vehicle crash in Ector County.
DPS reports the crash took place on FM 866 just before 2 a.m. on March 5.
Richard Dale Preston, 28, was driving a Ford F150 on FM 688. He was following a semi-truck also driving south on that road.
The semi-trailer, that was towing a cargo tank with a residual amount of crude oil, had slowed down and attempted to turn onto a private road at the intersection of West University Road.
Preston did not realize the semi-truck was slowing and failed to control his speed. He then steered sideways to avoid hitting the back of the semi-truck.
However, Preston's truck struck the right side of the cargo tank being towed and both vehicles caught fire.
Preston was pronounced dead at the scene by the Odessa Medical Examiner.
The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.
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