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Four Killed When Pickup Hydroplaned in the Rain

Four people lost their lives in a crash near Midland over the weekend, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Troopers were called at about 6:30 Saturday morning on State Highway 158, about six miles southeast of Midland.


DPS said a Ford F-150 pickup was headed east on SH 158 when the driver, Luis Rangel Jr., 25, of El Paso, hydroplaned and crossed into the west bound lanes.  His truck collided with a Chevrolet Impala.

The driver of the Impala, Kantrell Hires, 36, of Portland, Texas, along with three teenage passengers, also from Portland, were pronounced dead at the scene according to DPS.

DPS said a 12-year-old and a 17-year-old in the Impala were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

It was raining, DPS said, and the posted speed limit was 75 miles per hour.

Rangel was taken to Midland Memorial Hospital for “non-incapacitating injuries.”