Police ID woman killed in crash at ‘diverging diamond’ intersection Friday morning

Dec. 5 afternoon update: El Paso Police have identified the woman killed in an early Friday morning crash as 59-year old Elizabeth Smoka-Korems of Mohave Valley, Arizona.

Original story: One person is dead after a crash in Far East El Paso early Friday morning.

It happened around 12:30 a.m. at the intersection of Loop 375 and Spur 601, otherwise known as the city’s first “diverging diamond” intersection.

The vehicle was found in the middle of the intersection, lodged on a barrier means for pedestrians to pass through.

Police have not said if speed or alcohol are factors.

Police have yet to identify the person.

This marks the first death at the intersection since it was turned into a “diverging diamond”, requiring drivers to briefly go on the left side of the road.

The intersection of Loop 375 and Spur 601 was still closed as of 6 a.m.

Police do not expect the intersection to reopen for a few hours.