A tragic two-vehicle collision claimed the life of a 52-year-old Odessa woman on Thursday evening, January 15, 2026, in Ector County. The fatal crash occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of SE Loop 338 and Southfork Avenue.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Yaiset Almeida Ceregido was driving her 2005 Toyota Corolla eastbound on SE Loop 338 and was in the process of slowing down to turn onto Southfork Avenue. At that moment, her vehicle was struck from behind by a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that was traveling in the same direction.
A critical detail from the DPS investigation revealed that the Toyota Corolla was operating without its required rear lights at the time of the crash. This likely made the slowing vehicle much less visible to the driver behind it as dusk fell. Despite wearing her seatbelt, the force of the rear-end collision was fatal for Ceregido, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado was identified as 21-year-old Daniel Granado of Odessa. He was also wearing a seatbelt and sustained only minor injuries in the impact. Granado remained at the scene following the crash.
The Texas DPS continues to investigate the circumstances of the collision. The investigation will work to determine all contributing factors leading to the fatal rear-end crash. No additional information, including potential citations or charges, has been released at this time.
The community mourns the loss of Yaiset Almeida Ceregido. Her family and friends are left to grapple with the sudden tragedy of a life cut short on a routine evening drive.
