A high-speed collision on Loop 375 at Mile Marker 42 resulted in the death of 27-year-old D’Aundre Kahlil Malik Laffoon of El Paso on January 1, 2025.
According to the preliminary investigation by the Special Traffic Investigation Unit, Laffoon was driving a Volkswagen Jetta at a high rate of speed when he struck the rear of a 2023 Lexus traveling in the same direction. The impact caused Laffoon to lose control of his vehicle, veering off the roadway and rolling over. He was ejected from the vehicle during the crash.
Moments later, a Hyundai Santa Fe traveling north on Joe Battle struck Laffoon, who had landed on the roadway after being ejected.
Authorities have identified speed and the pedestrian being in the roadway as contributing factors to the incident. The identification of the pedestrian was not released.
This marks the first traffic fatality of 2025 in El Paso, matching the same number of fatalities recorded at this time in 2024. The investigation remains ongoing.
