Daniel Jiminez Death News – Authorities in the Texas Panhandle are investigating a deadly Sunday afternoon collision that claimed the life of a Hartley man after his vehicle was struck shortly after entering a major roadway. The incident unfolded a little after 3 p.m. on U.S. Highway 87, roughly a mile east of the Hartley city limits, according to information released by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Investigators say the crash happened when 33-year-old Daniel Jiminez of Hartley pulled onto the westbound lanes of US 87 from a private driveway in a 2015 Nissan Altima. As Jiminez’s car entered the highway, a 2025 Ford F-350 traveling in the same direction approached from behind. For reasons still being evaluated by state troopers, the pickup struck the Altima from the rear shortly after the sedan merged onto the roadway.
The force of the impact caused significant damage to the smaller vehicle. Emergency responders were dispatched immediately after the collision was reported, but despite their efforts, Jiminez could not be saved. Authorities confirmed that he passed away at the scene as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash.
The driver of the Ford F-350, who has not been publicly named, was evaluated by emergency medical personnel on site. DPS officials noted that the pickup driver received treatment at the scene and was then released, indicating that his injuries were not severe enough to require hospital transport.
As with all serious roadway incidents, Texas DPS has begun a detailed investigation to determine the sequence of events leading up to the crash. This process includes analyzing the physical evidence at the scene, reviewing roadway conditions, interviewing the surviving driver, and examining both vehicles to understand factors such as speed, visibility, and driver actions in the moments before the impact.
Rear-end collisions, especially those occurring on high-speed highways, can be particularly hazardous when one vehicle is accelerating from a stop or entering traffic from a private drive. Investigators will be working to determine whether the pickup driver had adequate time and distance to react, and whether any additional contributing elements—such as lighting, weather conditions, or roadway layout—played a role in the tragic outcome.
Residents in the Hartley area are familiar with the challenges of rural highways like US 87, where traffic can move quickly and vehicles entering the roadway may be difficult to spot depending on sightlines or speed differentials. Crashes of this nature are often reminders of the importance of heightened awareness in areas where private drives connect directly to busy roadways.
Family members, friends, and community members are now mourning the loss of Jiminez, who lived locally and was known in the area. While official details about the next steps in the investigation have not been released, DPS typically compiles a comprehensive report that will outline findings and any potential contributing factors. That report may take several weeks to complete as troopers verify information and gather all necessary documentation.
For now, authorities have emphasized that the investigation remains active. Further updates will likely be provided when DPS concludes its review or if additional information becomes available regarding the circumstances surrounding the collision.
This tragic incident marks yet another reminder of the risks present on rural highways and the importance of caution, both for drivers entering major roadways and for those traveling at higher speeds. As the community processes the loss, officials continue working to piece together exactly what happened on Sunday afternoon east of Hartley.
