Jinmei Gao, Jia Jin Wu Obituary, Death News – Two people lost their lives in a tragic single-vehicle crash in southeast Lubbock County early Saturday morning, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Authorities identified the victims as 64-year-old Jinmei Gao from Flushing, New York, and 18-year-old Jia Jin Wu of Lubbock. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident occurred around 7:23 a.m. on the U.S. Highway 84 north frontage road, just under three-quarters of a mile northwest of Mimosa Avenue. DPS officials stated that Gao was behind the wheel of a 2025 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle traveling in the northwest direction on U.S. 84.
According to investigators, the vehicle exited the main lanes of the highway and entered the frontage road. As the vehicle approached a sharp curve, it failed to successfully navigate the turn. Instead of following the curve, the car continued in a straight line, left the road, and slammed into a stationary railcar located on the railroad tracks nearby.
The force of the collision caused the vehicle to erupt in flames, and both occupants perished in the fire. Emergency responders pronounced both victims dead at the crash scene. At this time, officials have not determined whether either of the two individuals was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
It is also not yet clear what relationship, if any, existed between Gao and Wu. DPS has not released further details about the connection between the driver and passenger.
Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the crash. While it appears that the vehicle’s inability to handle the sharp curve was a key factor, officials have not ruled out other potential contributors, such as speed, distraction, mechanical failure, or environmental conditions.
The Texas DPS is continuing its investigation and may release more details as they become available. Meanwhile, authorities have not confirmed if there were any witnesses to the crash or whether surveillance footage from nearby areas may help clarify what happened.
This fatal collision adds to a concerning trend of deadly crashes in the area, particularly those involving single vehicles and road conditions that require attentive driving. Law enforcement agencies are urging drivers to use caution, especially when exiting highways or approaching curves, and to remain alert to changes in the roadway.
As the investigation proceeds, DPS encourages anyone with information that might aid the case to come forward. The tragic deaths of Gao and Wu serve as a sobering reminder of how quickly a drive can turn fatal, particularly when unfamiliar road features are involved.
