safety
Motor vehicle deaths fall, overdose drugs shift: Medical examiner data shows how people died in El Paso in 2025
By Priscilla Totiyapungprasert at El Paso Matters
· June 21, 2026
· 1 min read
Accidental deaths, including motor vehicle deaths, declined in El Paso County last year while trends in drug use are changing, according to the annual report from the Office of the Medical Examiner.
The office investigates cases that are homicides, suicides and accidents, as well as sudden or ...
Key takeaway The office investigates cases that are homicides, suicides and accidents, as well as sudden or ...
Why this matters in The El Paso
The decline in motor vehicle deaths and shift in overdose deaths in El Paso County has significant implications for the city's public health efforts. As the City of Homes, El Paso has a unique challenge in addressing these issues, given its own city government and police department, as well as its inclusion in the El Paso Independent School District. The fact that cocaine has surpassed fentanyl in deaths for the first time since 2019 suggests that drug use trends are evolving, and local authorities must adapt their strategies to address these changes. The increased availability of naloxone and opioid harm reduction activities, initiated by the city and county governments in 2023, may have contributed to the decline in fentanyl overdose deaths. However, the rise in cocaine-related deaths requires a new focus, and the city's public health officials must work to understand the underlying factors driving this shift and develop targeted interventions to address it.
About this story
Original reporting by El Paso Matters . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit El Paso Matters . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: El Paso Matters ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Accidental deaths, including motor vehicle deaths, declined in El Paso County last year while trends in drug use are changing, according to the annual report from the Office of the Medical Examiner.
The office investigates cases that are homicides, suicides and accidents, as well as sudden or ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by El Paso Matters and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Priscilla Totiyapungprasert at El Paso Matters. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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