Pedro Benitez Obituary, Death; Odessa man dies after semi-truck overturns and burns.

Pedro Benitez Obituary, Death – A deadly truck accident in Borden County claimed the life of an Odessa man on Saturday afternoon, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The incident occurred along Farm-to-Market Road 1054 and involved a rollover that ended in flames.

Officials reported that the crash happened around 3 p.m. on September 27, 2025. The victim has been identified as 55-year-old Pedro Benitez of Odessa, who was operating a 2005 Freightliner semi-truck with a trailer at the time of the collision.

According to DPS’s preliminary findings, Benitez was traveling southbound on FM 1054 when his vehicle drifted out of its designated lane. The truck eventually veered into the east barrow ditch, causing the semi to roll over. Moments after overturning, the vehicle caught fire, leading to a blaze that fully engulfed the cab and trailer.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the severity of the crash left little chance of survival. Benitez was pronounced dead at the site of the accident. Officials noted that no other vehicles were involved, and there were no additional injuries reported.

The fiery crash left behind a charred wreckage that took some time for crews to contain. Firefighters worked alongside DPS troopers to secure the area, extinguish the flames, and ensure the roadway was safe for passing traffic. Photos from the aftermath showed the extensive damage caused by the fire, which consumed much of the Freightliner and its trailer.

Authorities have not yet determined what caused Benitez to lose control of the vehicle. While investigators have confirmed he failed to remain in his lane, further analysis will focus on whether fatigue, mechanical issues, weather conditions, or other factors may have played a role. The official cause remains under review as the investigation continues.

DPS has not released details about the truck’s cargo or its destination at the time of the crash. Typically, investigators will also inspect the vehicle’s condition, including its tires, brakes, and other mechanical systems, to determine whether equipment failure contributed to the rollover.

Rollover crashes involving large trucks are often especially dangerous due to the size and weight of the vehicles. When combined with a fire, as in this case, the consequences are almost always catastrophic. Safety experts note that even minor lane departures at highway speeds can result in deadly outcomes when heavy commercial vehicles are involved.

For residents of Odessa and the surrounding area, the loss of Benitez is being felt deeply. His death marks yet another reminder of the risks truck drivers face on long stretches of rural Texas highways. Farm-to-Market Road 1054, while less traveled than major interstates, is still a common route for commercial truck traffic. Its narrow lanes and surrounding ditches can make recovery difficult when vehicles leave the roadway.

The DPS is asking anyone with information that may aid the investigation to come forward, though at this stage, officials have not indicated the involvement of witnesses. In the meantime, traffic safety advocates continue to stress the importance of caution and attentiveness, particularly for commercial drivers tasked with operating large vehicles for long hours.

As the community mourns the death of Pedro Benitez, investigators remain focused on piecing together exactly what led to the crash. Until more findings are released, the tragedy stands as a stark illustration of the dangers present on Texas’s roadways and the devastating consequences that can result from a single moment of lost control.