Andrews County, TX (June 28, 2026) – The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal accident that claimed one person’s life and left another person injured on FM 1788 in Andrews County. The crash happened around 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26.
Officials said a 2022 Ford F-150 was traveling northbound on FM 1788 while a 2022 Ford Cargo Van, driven by 22-year-old Adriel Spencer of Midland, was headed southbound. Investigators reported that the van attempted to pass another southbound vehicle when it was unsafe to do so, crossing into the northbound lane and striking the Ford F-150 head-on.
Spencer was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ford F-150 was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. The roadway remained under investigation as officials worked to determine the full circumstances leading up to the collision. We are thinking of the family and friends of Spencer and send our sincere sympathy.
How Unsafe Passing Maneuvers Lead to Head-on Collisions
Head-on crashes mostly occur when a driver attempts to pass another vehicle in areas where visibility or road conditions make it unsafe. These maneuvers can place vehicles directly into oncoming traffic lanes, leaving little time for either driver to react. The resulting impact is often severe due to the combined speeds of both vehicles.
Roadway markings, passing zones, and traffic flow are designed to reduce these risks, but violations of passing rules remain a major factor in serious crashes. Investigators typically review lane positioning, witness statements, and vehicle damage patterns to understand how the collision occurred. Seat belt use and vehicle speed are also key factors in determining injury severity in these types of accidents.
