safety
2-year-old among 3 killed in wrong-way crash; officer hurt pulling another child from flames
Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting from KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 25, 2026
· 2 min read
Photo: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · view original
LUBBOCK, Texas ( KCBD /Gray News) - Police in Texas are investigating a wrong-way crash that killed three people and injured four others Thursday night. Officers in Lubbock were first notified of a wrong-way driver near 19th Street and Interstate 27 at about 7:23 p.m., police said. While officers...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 25, 2026 Indexed here Jul 25, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Investigators believe a car driven by 29-year-old Oscar Hernandez Sotelo Jr.
Why this matters in The Midland
The devastating wrong-way crash in Lubbock that claimed three lives, including a 2-year-old, and injured four others, raises concerns about highway safety in the Permian Basin region. While this incident occurred outside of Midland County, it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving on our local highways. The fact that alcohol and speed are being investigated as potential factors in the crash underscores the need for continued vigilance and enforcement on our roads. As Midland residents, we must remain aware of the risks associated with traveling on our highways, particularly at night or during peak traffic hours. The heroic actions of the officer who pulled a 3-year-old from the burning vehicle also highlight the bravery and selflessness of our local law enforcement officers, who often put themselves in harm's way to protect our communities.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 25, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LUBBOCK, Texas ( KCBD /Gray News) - Police in Texas are investigating a wrong-way crash that killed three people and injured four others Thursday night. Officers in Lubbock were first notified of a wrong-way driver near 19th Street and Interstate 27 at about 7:23 p.m., police said. While officers...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 25, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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