😡 She did EVERYTHING right…

Angelique Diaz De Leon was only 18. She wasn’t reckless. She wasn’t speeding. She even asked permission to stay out a little longer on New Year’s Eve, heading home safely with her boyfriend.

Then, in the first hours of 2026, a drunk driver blew through a red light and T-boned their car in a horrific crash…

Angelique never made it home. Her bright future—studying to be an occupational therapist, full of dreams and that infectious smile—gone in an instant because someone chose to drink and drive.

El Paso is in mourning, balloons and flowers piling up at the crash site, as the community demands: HOW MANY MORE young lives before we stop this nightmare?

The driver? Still out there—or facing justice? The rage is boiling over…

This tragedy is hitting too close to home for so many parents. Share if you’re furious too. We NEED change NOW. 👇

The Sun City rang in 2026 with fireworks and hope, but just hours into the new year, tragedy struck when an 18-year-old recent high school graduate was killed in a violent two-vehicle collision at a busy Northeast intersection, authorities said.

Angelique Diaz De Leon, described by loved ones as having the “kindest soul, a beautiful smile, and a heart that cared deeply for everyone,” was a passenger in a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro when it was broadsided by a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck around 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026, at the intersection of Gateway North Boulevard (U.S. 54) and Sean Haggerty Drive.

El Paso Police Department officials confirmed the pickup truck allegedly ran a red light, T-boning the Camaro on the passenger side with devastating force. Diaz De Leon, a resident of Northeast El Paso, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Camaro—reportedly her boyfriend—and the driver of the Silverado sustained injuries but survived, with at least one transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Special Traffic Investigators responded to the scene, and the crash marked the city’s first traffic fatality of the new year. Police have not released the names of the other individuals involved, citing the ongoing investigation. Sources indicate that impairment is suspected on the part of the pickup driver, with DWI charges potentially pending as toxicology results are analyzed.

“She did everything right and still didn’t make it home,” one viral social media post lamented, capturing the raw grief sweeping through the community. Diaz De Leon had reportedly asked for permission to extend her New Year’s Eve celebrations slightly, heading home responsibly with her boyfriend when the unthinkable happened.

Friends and family poured out tributes online and at impromptu memorials near the crash site, where balloons, flowers, candles, and handwritten notes have accumulated. “Taken too soon,” read one message. Another called for stricter enforcement against drunk driving, highlighting El Paso’s ongoing struggle with DWI-related incidents.

Angelique graduated from Transmountain Early College High School in the El Paso Independent School District, where she excelled by completing four years of high school coursework while simultaneously taking college classes at El Paso Community College. In spring 2025, she earned an associate’s degree, showcasing her ambition and drive.

She was pursuing studies to become an occupational therapist, a career choice that reflected her compassionate nature. “She was a beloved daughter, sister, friend, girlfriend, and tia,” her obituary stated. “Each role carried with a depth of love that made everyone feel seen and valued.”

Classmates remembered her as bubbly and kind, always quick with a smile that lit up rooms. “She had the kindest soul,” one former teacher shared in a district statement mourning her loss. “Angelique was destined for greatness, helping others heal and thrive.”

The crash occurred in a high-traffic area of Northeast El Paso, a growing region with major thoroughfares like U.S. 54 connecting residents to shopping, dining, and Fort Bliss. Intersection collisions, particularly those involving red-light violations, have long been a concern for local law enforcement.

El Paso Police urged witnesses to come forward with any information, including dashcam footage from the early morning hours. “We’re piecing together the exact sequence of events,” a department spokesperson said. “This is a tragic reminder of the dangers on our roads, especially during holiday periods when impaired driving spikes.”

Statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation paint a grim picture: Impaired driving crashes remain a leading cause of fatalities statewide, with hundreds killed annually. In El Paso County alone, dozens of DWI arrests are made each holiday season, yet preventable tragedies like this continue.

Community advocates seized on the incident to renew calls for tougher penalties and awareness campaigns. “Why another young life?” one Instagram post raged, noting over 400 DWI-related crashes in the area in recent years. Groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) echoed the sentiment, pointing to the ripple effects on families shattered by such senseless acts.

Diaz De Leon’s family has kept a low profile amid their grief, focusing on funeral arrangements. Services were held privately, with a public celebration of life drawing hundreds from the tight-knit EPISD community.

Her boyfriend, who survived the wreck, is reportedly recovering physically but devastated emotionally. Details about his condition have not been disclosed out of respect for privacy.

The driver of the Silverado remains under investigation. If charged with intoxication manslaughter—a second-degree felony in Texas—the suspect could face up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors in the El Paso District Attorney’s office have not commented on potential filings, pending the completion of the police probe.

Meanwhile, the intersection where the crash occurred has seen temporary traffic adjustments as crews cleared debris and investigated. Residents report a somber atmosphere, with many driving more cautiously in the days since.

This fatality adds to El Paso’s tally of road deaths, coming on the heels of a holiday season that saw multiple serious wrecks. Law enforcement ramped up “no refusal” DWI enforcement over New Year’s, with checkpoints and saturation patrols, yet the early morning crash slipped through.

Experts attribute persistent impaired driving to a mix of factors: cultural tolerance in border regions, limited late-night public transportation, and repeat offenders. “One bad decision can destroy multiple lives,” said a local safety advocate. “Angelique’s story is heartbreaking proof.”

As tributes continue to flood social media under hashtags like #JusticeForAngelique, the community grapples with anger and sorrow. Balloon releases and vigils have been organized, with sunflowers—a symbol of hope and positivity—featuring prominently, much like in other recent local tragedies.

School officials at Transmountain Early College High provided counseling resources to students and staff reeling from the loss. “Angelique’s impact will live on,” the district stated. “She inspired so many with her dedication and warmth.”

For the Diaz De Leon family, the new year brings unimaginable pain instead of promise. Friends have launched online fundraisers to support funeral costs and memorials, surpassing goals quickly as donations pour in from strangers touched by her story.

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser issued a statement expressing condolences: “Our hearts are with the family during this difficult time. We must all commit to safer roads—no excuses for getting behind the wheel impaired.”

As the investigation progresses, authorities vow a thorough review of evidence, including traffic light data, vehicle black boxes, and witness statements. Toxicology reports, which can take weeks, will be crucial in determining charges.

In the meantime, Angelique’s bright smile lives on in photos shared by loved ones—graduation caps tossed high, family gatherings, moments of pure joy. Her life, cut short at 18, serves as a stark warning and a call to action.

The Sun City mourns one of its own, hoping her legacy sparks change to prevent the next family from enduring such agony. Justice, many say, starts with accountability for the choices that led to that fateful red light.