Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., is the 87th line-of-duty death for the agency. Photo: Texas DPS
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A Texas Highway Patrol trooper died early Saturday in El Paso after a two-vehicle crash, Texas DPS announced.
Javier Arana Jr., 32, was responding to a pursuit call when his patrol car was struck by a Ford Ranger at the intersection of Joe Battle Boulevard and Bob Hope Drive in east El Paso at 1:28 a.m. His vehicle caught fire, and Arana died on the scene.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Arana's family and friends," said Steven McCraw, Texas DPS director, in a statement.
Arana, who had graduated from the DPS Academy in November 2010, was stationed in El Paso. He is survived by a wife and children. He is the 87th DPS employee to die in the line of duty.
Two men in the other vehicle were transported to area hospitals. The driver of the Ford Ranger, 18-year-old Edgardo Antonio Flores, was transported to Del Sol Medical Center. The passenger, 20-year-old Josue Alejandro Guerrero, was transported to University Medical Center.