Family Wants Answers After Loved One Killed In Wreck Involving Military Vehicle
The family of a woman killed in a two-vehicle wreck in Northeast El Paso Thursday morning is searching for closure and accountability.
“It’s been very difficult,” said Richard Diaz, brother of 34-year-old victim Imelda Diaz.
Imelda Diaz was killed after a head-on collision between a van and a military armored vehicle Thursday morning on U.S. 54 at Stan Roberts.
At least six other people were injured.
The crash occurred about 9 a.m. and involved an Army Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, and a transport van.
The van belonged to the company G4S Secure Solutions, which transports federal prisoners to and from court hearings. Diaz was was an employee of the company. The driver and five others were taken to area hospitals.
Special Traffic Unit investigators said the MRAP was driven by 23-year-old Bradley Crawford, who began to cross Gateway North after stopping for a stop sign on Stan Roberts. The front of the MRAP collided with the right side passenger door of the Econoline. No one in the MRAP was injured.
Police said the wreck appeared to be accidental as alcohol and speed are not believed to be factors. They said the wreck appeared to be caused the military driver’s failure to yield the right of way to the van.
“What went wrong?” asked Richard Diaz. “This is a civilian road. I would like to know from the military what kind of safety precautions were taken to prevent this form happening.”
A Fort Bliss spokeswoman repsonded to ABC-7’s questions with the following statement: “Safety is a top priority within the military. Training is not only necessary, but refresher and qualifications for certain tasks, including driving any military vehicle is required. Training is designed to ensure drivers are completely capable of performing any assigned task in a safe manner.”
A police department spokesman said an investigation into the wreck is ongoing, but it could be several months before the District Attorney files charges if it decided to pursue a case.
Diaz’s family said she was one month pregnant with her first baby when she was killed. “She had the most beautiful heart and soul,” said her sister Amanda.
