Lubbock Resident Involved in Fatal Yoakum County Crash

YOAKUM, TX — A crash on November 26 at the intersection of FM 213 and FM 1780 in Yoakum County resulted in one fatality and five injuries.

The accident, which occurred at approximately 3:26 p.m. in clear weather and dry road conditions, remains under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

According to a preliminary investigation, a 2020 Toyota Highlander, driven by 38-year-old Fakhria Kakar of Cockeysville, Maryland, was traveling southbound on FM 1780, approaching the intersection with FM 213. Stop signs on FM 1780 control north and southbound traffic. A 2021 Chevrolet Express Van, driven by 41-year-old Joshua Soliz of Lubbock, was traveling eastbound on FM 213, approaching the intersection.

The investigation revealed that Kakar, in the Toyota Highlander, failed to yield the right of way when she pulled into the intersection, driving directly into the path of Soliz’s van. The van struck the passenger side of the Toyota Highlander.

The crash tragically resulted in the death of an 11-year-old child in the Highlander, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene due to the injuries he sustained. Three other children in the vehicle—a 9-year-old female, a 4-year-old female, and a 3-year-old male—were all transported to University Medical Center in Lubbock with incapacitating injuries.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts. Soliz, the driver of the van, was transported to Yoakum County Hospital with non-incapacitating injuries. Kakar, the driver of the Highlander, was also taken to University Medical Center in Lubbock with non-incapacitating injuries.

The crash is under investigation, and the Texas Department of Public Safety is asking anyone with additional information to come forward.

The posted speed limit at the crash location is 75 mph.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether speed contributed to the accident.