A 40-year-old Odessa man was killed Monday afternoon when his motorcycle was struck from behind in a three-vehicle crash on westbound Business Interstate 20, also known locally as Highway 80, in Midland County, Texas. Authorities say a Nissan Frontier had slowed for an earlier crash ahead, and the motorcyclist, riding behind it, slowed as well. A Toyota Tacoma driven by an 18-year-old Gardendale man then hydroplaned on the rain-slicked roadway, striking the motorcycle before colliding with the Nissan. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, while the drivers of the other two vehicles were not injured.
According to CBS7 | Permian Basin, West Texas News, the crash happened around 4:15 p.m. near mile marker 311 during rainy conditions. The outlet identified the motorcyclist as Miguel H. Rodriguez, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the collision, and the agency has not announced any citations as it works to determine what role the wet roadway played.
