Woman killed crossing I-10 in Downtown El Paso

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A woman in her 30s died after being struck by a car while attempting to cross Interstate 10 East near the Downtown exit in El Paso, Texas on Easter Sunday. The 81-year-old driver of the 2016 Kia Soul hit the woman, who was taken to a hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. The fatal crash remains under investigation by the El Paso Police Department's Special Traffic Investigation Unit.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing dangers pedestrians face when attempting to cross major highways, especially in urban areas. It also comes amid a concerning rise in traffic-related fatalities in El Paso compared to the previous year, raising questions about road safety measures and driver awareness.

The details

According to police, the woman was trying to cross I-10 East near the Downtown exit around 8 p.m. on April 5 when she was struck by the 2016 Kia Soul driven by an 81-year-old man. The woman, whose identity has not been released, was transported to a hospital where she later died from her injuries. Authorities stated that a contributing factor in the crash was the pedestrian being on the highway.

• The fatal crash occurred around 8 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.
• This was the 14th traffic-related death in El Paso city limits in 2026, compared to 19 at the same time the previous year.

What’s next

The El Paso Police Department's Special Traffic Investigation Unit will continue its investigation into the fatal crash, including determining if any charges will be filed against the 81-year-old driver.