The afternoon of Monday, Oct. 27, brought a tragedy to the oil-field area off Vera Road in China, Texas, where authorities now say 68‑year‑old Guillermo Contreras of Liberty, Texas was fatally struck by the trailer of an 18‑wheeler. Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded around 1:45 p.m. following reports of a serious injury at the site.
When first responders arrived, they found Contreras gravely injured, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Capt. Crystal Holmes of the sheriff’s office noted that Contreras was “working at an oil‑field off Vera Road” when he was struck by the trailer portion of the truck. Investigators say the autopsy has been ordered by Justice of the Peace Justin Chesson to determine the cause of death.
Friends and family remember Guillermo as a devoted worker and family‑man whose kindness and dedication touched his circle. While details remain limited, his sudden departure has left loved ones in shock and mourning. As the sheriff’s office conveyed in their brief statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Contreras’s loved ones during this difficult time.” (As originally noted in the prior report.)
Initial reports indicate the incident happened when Contreras was on foot at the site and was struck by the trailer‑end of the large truck—rather than the cab—indicating possible issues with vehicle movement or pedestrian access in the area. The truck driver remained on‑scene and is cooperating with investigators; no charges or further suspicions have been publicly released.
Investigators are gathering evidence from the scene—examining how the heavy equipment moved, what pedestrian pathways existed, whether spotters or dedicated lanes were in place, and how visibility or job‑site procedures might have contributed. Safety experts say these are standard elements in run‑over or trailer‑runover investigations at industrial and oil‑field locations.
Residents near the oil‑field have voiced increasing concern about safety protocols, particularly when large trucks operate around foot traffic in active work zones. A local news video captured community members asking if enough separation is maintained between vehicles and workers on foot.
At this stage, authorities have not released further specifics—such as the truck company name, the employer’s identity, or any mechanical or lighting failures—pending the full investigation. The sheriff’s office says updates will come as the inquiry progresses.
In the wake of his death, Contreras’s loss is being felt deeply by those who knew him: a loyal son, brother or uncle, friend and worker whose daily contributions may now serve as a quiet reminder of how quickly life can change in these high‑hazard work environments. The community continues to hold his family in their thoughts as questions remain about what exactly went wrong—and how such tragedies might be prevented in the future.
