Edward Rodriguez Obituary, Death; – The Reeves County Sheriff’s Office has provided updated details regarding an oil field accident that resulted in one fatality and left two individuals with serious injuries on Tuesday night.
As reported by the RCSO, deputies responded to an industrial accident at approximately 9:00 p.m. on January 27, at the Permian Resources-Guthrie State D 132H well site in Reeves County, situated about eight miles south on Highway 285 near County Road 114, where Propetro Services was engaged in fracking operations. A rupture of a pressurized device at the fracking site led to the death of 45-year-old Edward Rodriguez and caused injuries to two others.
Ricardo Zamora, aged 35, was initially transported to a local hospital before being airlifted to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa for treatment of a significant arm injury. The site supervisor, 36-year-old Johnny Sanchez, was also taken to Reeves Regional Hospital in Pecos for the treatment of minor injuries.
Upon arrival, the Sheriff’s Office secured the area and utilized drones to survey the vicinity to ensure that no additional injuries had occurred beyond those immediately visible at the incident site. Emergency medical services provided care for the injured individuals.
Propetro suspended fracking operations and deactivated the area to ensure it was as safe as possible for subsequent investigations. The hazardous area was confined to the pressurized fracking lines within the operational zone during the fracking activities. Reeves County Emergency Management assisted in managing the scene, and Lone Star hazmat was called in to ensure the safety of the site and to supply safety equipment for the investigation.
Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division determined that a pressurized line, which contained approximately 9,000 psi, had detached from a fracking unit, leading to the incident. A pipe that had become disconnected during the event, with valves attached at both ends, was located by investigators.
At this stage of the investigation, no foul play is suspected; however, further inquiries are ongoing by OSHA. An autopsy for the deceased has been requested by the Justice of the Peace.
