Teen Brothers Killed In Early-Morning Crash

Police said two teen brothers were killed in an early-morning wreck Saturday near downtown El Paso.

The crash happened around 2:55 a.m. on I-10 west near the downtown Mesa Street exit.

El Paso Police Department spokesman Darrel Petry said Luis Garcia, 18, was driving a 1995 green Acura Integra westbound on the freeway when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a Texas Department of Transportation camera pole.

The impact split the car in half and ejected the passenger and brother of the driver, 19-year-old Andres Garcia. He landed on the westbound lanes of I-10, where he was struck by a semi truck. The driver of that truck fled the scene.

The driver, Luis Garcia was transported to University Medical Center, where he died a short time later. Andres Garcia died at the scene.

Both teens were wearing their seat belts.

The El Paso Police Department’s Special Traffic Investigation team was called to the scene to investigate the crash.

The westbound lanes of I-10 were closed for more than five hours Saturday morning while investigators and police were at the scene.

Investigators said speed was a factor in the crash, and alcohol is suspected and pending toxicology results.

This is the 33rd and 34th traffic related fatality of 2011 compared to 33 at this time in 2010.