Basic Facts
Crash date: April 2, 2026
Crash location: U.S. Highway 77 north of Hallettsville, TX
People involved:
- Daniel Joe Elizondo, 67
- Sandy DeLeon, 64
- Ruben Perez Jr., 54
Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash? Unknown
Did authorities recommend criminal charges? Unknown
Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash? Unknown
Accident Report
Lavaca County, TX — April 2, 2026, Daniel Elizondo and Ruben Perez Jr. were killed and Sandy DeLeon was injured in a car accident at about 7 p.m. on U.S. Highway 77.
Authorities said a southbound 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 allegedly lost control while cresting a hill and collided with a northbound 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 near County Road 240 north of Hallettsville.
Both drivers — Daniel Joe Elizondo, 67, of Yoakum in the northbound pickup and Ruben Perez Jr., 54, of Hallettsville in the other one — died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to authorities, while Elizondo’s wife, 64-year-old Sandy DeLeon was flown to a San Antonio hospital with serious injuries.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Lavaca County crash at this time.
How Did This Accident Occur?
Initial reports indicate the southbound pickup caused this crash, but police don’t seem to know why it left its own lane. Was the driver distracted or fatigued? Did he swerve to avoid an object in the road? Did his pickup have a tire blowout or other mechanical problem? A full investigation is the only way to answer those questions.
Investigators, either police or an independent third-party, will gather evidence from the scene, witness statements, data from the pickups and any available video footage to help reconstruct the crash. Phone records may show what the drivers were doing in the moments before the accident. A qualified expert may be need if investigators suspect a mechanical issue contributed to the crash, as a forensic examination needs to be done in a laboratory setting.
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