UPDATE: Victims Identified In Deadly I-10 Crash

Police identified two people who were killed in a crash on Interstate 10 that shut down most of the eastbound lanes near the Mesa Street exit ramp about 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the West Side.

Investigators said Bernabe Perez, 59, and Jesse Maldonado, 15, both of Santa Teresa, were in a white Mazda SUV when the vehicle went off the road and over the guardrail.

The two died at the scene as a result of the impact, according to a police spokesman.

Police said it appeared the SUV hit a purple Chevy sedan when it was straying off the road. A man in that car was checked for injuries, but appeared to be OK, according to investigators.

Traffic on I-10 East was backed up for several hours as crews cleared the scene.

El Paso Police spokesman Darrel Petry said several motorists stopped to try to render aid to the people involved in the crash.

“When we have something that is as horrific and as deadly as this crash, yes, we would encourage citizens to help, but again, that has to be done with caution because you are on the freeway,” he said.