UPDATE (July 7, 2025): The victim killed in the work accident was identified as 59-year-old Nicolay Santiesteban. The incident is still under investigation.
Winkler County, TX — June 28, 2025, a worker was killed as the result of a tanker explosion accident at around 12:42 p.m. along Perry Lane.
Authorities say the incident took place just off the corner of Perry Lane and Highway 302, just southwest of Kermit.
According to officials, a 59-year-old Odessa man was using a grinder on top of a commercial tanker at the time. While doing so, an explosion sparked, ultimately inflicting fatal injuries to the worker. There did not appear to be anyone else injured in the accident.
Investigations into the accident are currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Looking into the exact cause of a work accident like this can be challenging enough on its own. On top of that, though, Texas work fatality laws are more complex than in any other state in the country. This is because there isn’t always a guaranteed a path to getting the worker’s family benefits after an accident.
I’ve had countless families come to me after they expected there was a process already laid out for them. Instead, they found it was entirely up to the employer’s discretion, and they weren’t being fair when offering the family a resolution. It may not be surprising for some to learn that the priorities of an employer after an accident do not necessarily align with the needs of the worker’s family.
This is why I always shine a light on these kinds of accidents. It’s important that people know about their legal rights and what their situation could mean for them going forward. Texas work fatality laws can be a maze, but having the right knowledge and tools early on helps families navigate that maze with as much ease as possible.
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