Law enforcement pursuit in Pecos County ends in one dead, one injured

PECOS COUNTY, TX – One man is dead and another is injured following a pursuit by a Pecos County Sheriff's deputy Tuesday night in Pecos County, TX.

32-year old Mark Anthony Lopez Jr., from Waco, led a sheriff's deputy from Pecos County on a chase that began in Sheffield, TX and ended near mile marker 320 on Interstate 10.

According to the preliminary report by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a deputy attempted to stop a 2011 Jeep Liberty driven by Lopez Jr. for a traffic violation that occurred in Sheffield. Lopez had initially pulled over before evading the deputy and leading him onto Interstate 10 headed westbound.

The report went on to state that as Lopez approached mile marker 320 he then attempted to turn around using the center median. At that time a second vehicle listed as 2007 Peterbilt 387 tractor truck with a trailer was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10.

The driver of the 2007 Petebilt tractor-truck was identified as 56-year old Octavio Morales of Houston. The report stated that Morales attempted to avoid hitting Lope by braking before crossing into the shoulder and into the south barrow ditch. However, Lopez's vehicle collided with Morales vehicle.

Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene. Morales was transported to Iraan Memorial Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. The report had stated that both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the incident and that weather conditions were clear.

The incident remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time.