Drunk driving, speed blamed in fatal crash involving 85-year-old man on Transmountain Road

An 85-year-old man allegedly driving drunk and speeding died in a car accident in August on Transmountain Road in Northeast El Paso, authorities announced.

Richard Carlton Wilson of El Paso was driving a 2021 Nissan Sentra under the influence of alcohol and at a high rate of speed about 9:15 p.m. Aug. 17, in the 5200 block on Woodrow Bean Transmountain Road when he crashed into a 2012 Dodge Durango, El Paso Police Department officials said Wednesday, Oct. 2.

The Dodge driven by a 36-year-old man was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Woodrow Bean Transmountain and Rushing roads when Wilson crashed into the back of the Dodge, officials said.

Wilson was taken to a University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He died Sept. 27, police said.

More: Car falls off El Paso's Transmountain Road. Woman dies in Red Sands ATV crash

"He was initially in stable condition but ultimately succumbed to his injuries," police officials said in a news release.

The Nissan driver and his passenger, a 29-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries. A 1-year-old toddler and a 5-year-old child were also inside the Nissan at the time of the crash. The children were taken to a hospital to be examined. Doctors determined neither of the children suffered any injuries, police said.

Police believe Wilson driving drunk and at a high rate of speed were the main contributing factors in the fatal wreck.

Wilson's death is the 48th traffic-related death of 2024 compared to 55 at the same time last year, police said.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Drunk driving, speed blamed in fatal crash involving 85-year-old man on Transmountain Road