The Midland Police Department continued its investigation Wednesday into a single-vehicle accident that occurred Tuesday evening. Drivers should expect delays Wednesday afternoon as police expect to shut down sections of Highway 191 to complete the investigation.
Police are investigating the crash during daytime hours to more closely examine factors such as the vehicle's speed and momentum. Both directions of traffic on Highway 191 between County Road 1275 and Loop 250 are expected to be affected at various times over the course of Wednesday afternoon and possibly early evening. Citizens are encouraged to avoid the area in the meantime and check midlandtexas.gov for notice that the highway has reopened.
Midland Police and Fire Departments responded to the rollover, which seriously injured four teenagers, in the 8000 block of the highway at approximately 10:16 p.m. Tuesday. An investigation into the accident revealed that the driver of a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche was traveling eastbound on Highway 191 and had lost control while making a lane change in order to avoid a slower moving vehicle. The vehicle began to skid, entered the median and rolled several times, ejecting all four of the vehicle's occupants. Three of the teenagers were transported to Midland Memorial Hospital in critical condition, while one was transported in stable condition. Three of the patients have since been transported to hospitals in Lubbock.
The Avalanche was driven by a 16-year-old male and had three passengers: a 15-year-old male, 16-year-old male and a 14-year-old female.
Alcohol and speed were not initially believed to be factors in the accident, but both will continue to be considered as part of the ongoing investigation.
###Media Contact: Public Information Officer Sara Higgins