Man charged with intoxication manslaughter in deadly San Elizario crash said he ‘probably fell asleep’: Documents
UPDATE (Nov. 2, 2026): A 61-year-old man has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after a crash on Socorro Road Sunday morning.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said Daniel Martinez drove eastbound on Socorro Road. An arrest affidavit said Martinez had been swerving back and forth between lanes and drove off the road.
Daniel Martinez’ mugshot.(Courtesy: EPCSO)
Martinez allegedly crossed into the westbound lanes and crashed head-on with a pickup truck.
The driver of the truck, 54-year-old Lydia Burrola, was pronounced dead at the scene, EPCSO said.
While attempting to get Martinez out of his vehicle, authorities noticed a “pungent odor of alcohol” coming from Martinez, documents said.
According to documents, Martinez told deputies he drank four or five 12-ounce beers. He allegedly said he drove from a get-together in Juarez and crossed into Downtown El Paso from the Santa Fe Port of Entry.
Martinez said he “probably fell asleep and didn’t know how the accident happened,” according to documents.
A sample of Martinez’ breath resulted in a 0.105 BAC, which is above the legal liit of 0.08, documents said.
Deputies booked Martinez into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $150,000 bond.
“Our hearts are with Ms. Burrola’s family as they face this devastating loss,” said Sheriff Oscar Ugarte in a statement. “Driving impaired puts everyone on the road at risk. Please arrange a sober ride before you drink. That decision can save a life and spare a family unimaginable grief.”
UPDATE (10:17 AM) — A spokeswoman for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO) says that one person is dead after a crash at the 11900 block of Socorro Road.
The spokeswoman says the department’s Special Traffic Investigators (STI) are on scene looking into the cause of the crash, and the area will remain closed for an extended period as the investigation is conducted.
According to officials, no other individuals were taken to the hospital for injuries.
Once more information is provided, we will update you on air and online.
SAN ELIZARIO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that has closed a portion of Socorro Rd. in San Elizario.
According to a social media post from San Elizario Fire Rescue, due to the crash, as of 7:15 a.m., the section of Socorro Rd. is closed beginning at the intersection of Thompson and Socorro.
An ABC-7 crew was able to capture these images from the crash, showing two vehicles severely damaged (one on the left and the other on the right side of the photo).
Authorities have not said if there were any injuries to the individuals involved or when the road would open.
Officials are asking drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes as they investigate what led up to the crash.
ABC-7 has reached out to officials for more information regarding the crash; once that information becomes available, we will update you on air and online.
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