safety
‘He was our first grandson’: Fort Stockton family hosting 5k memorial run in loved one’s honor
By Sierra Burnett at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 15, 2026
· 2 min read
FORT STOCKTON, Texas (KOSA) - A west Texas teenager should be getting ready for his senior year of high school. Instead, his family is preparing to honor his life after it was cut short in a car crash. Eddie Vela, born Eduardo Esteban Gomez Vela died on June 29, 2025, in a car accident, in his ho...
Key takeaway Eddie Vela, born Eduardo Esteban Gomez Vela died on June 29, 2025, in a car accident, in his hometown of Fort Stockton.
Why this matters in The Midland
The loss of Eddie Vela is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by teen drivers in the Permian Basin area. As a community, Midland and surrounding areas like Fort Stockton, are not immune to the risks of car accidents, particularly during the summer months. The "100 deadliest days" between Memorial Day and Labor Day are a critical period for vigilance and education on safe driving practices. Maggie Hernandez's efforts to raise awareness and fund a motivational speaker assembly for Fort Stockton schools could have a ripple effect in the broader region, encouraging other families and schools to prioritize safe driving conversations. The Eddie Vela Memorial 5k run at Rooney Park will not only honor Eddie's memory but also serve as a catalyst for community action, prompting local parents, educators, and leaders to re-examine their approaches to teen driver safety and support for grieving families.
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 15, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? FORT STOCKTON, Texas (KOSA) - A west Texas teenager should be getting ready for his senior year of high school. Instead, his family is preparing to honor his life after it was cut short in a car crash. Eddie Vela, born Eduardo Esteban Gomez Vela died on June 29, 2025, in a car accident, in his ho...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 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 Sierra Burnett at 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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