A bizarre, and ultimately tragic, set of circumstances led to the death of a 73-year-old Temple woman in far north Milam County Friday morning, the first county road fatality of 2020.
DPS Trooper Jacob Luna said Linda Richard, 73, of Temple was pronounced dead at the scene on FM 485 near the FM 2269 intersection.
According to the DPS, Richard was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her husband, 72-year old Darrell Richard of Temple.
The 8:20 a.m. accident was at the edge of a complex construction zone at which a number of highway signs had been erected, warning of a detour, one-lane traffic and road closing.
Luna told The Reporter about a half-hour before the fatal mishap another vehicle had gone through the area, striking and reorienting signs.
He said the eastbound Richard vehicle came through on FM 485, heading into the blinding early-morning sun, and struck a barricade.
A part of the barricade came through the vehicle’s windshield, striking Mrs. Richards.
The DPS said Mr. Richards was not seriously injured.
Luna said the driver of the vehicle which struck the signage was located by the sheriff’s department and returned to the accident scene.
“His license plate was actually left at the scene and that’s how we were able to identify him,” Luna said.
Luna said, as of Tuesday morning, no charges had been filed in connection with the situation.
The Cameron Volunteer Fire Department, AMR paramedics and the Milam County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the accident scene.
FOGGY CRASH—Full details, including names, were not available from the DPS on a fog-related two-vehicle collision south of Cameron on FM 1600 Monday.
The DPS released this statement:
“The Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers responded to a major crash on FM 1600 approximately four miles southwest of the City of Cameron.
“A 2005 Peterbilt truck tractor hauling sand was southbound on FM 1600.
“A Case farm tractor driven by a 25-year-old man from Cameron was also southbound on FM 1600.
“The driver of the Peterbilt truck tractor, a 55-year-old male of Kingsland, stated visibility was impaired due to dense fog in the area.
“The Peterbilt truck tractor collided with the rear of the Case tractor causing the driver of the tractor to be ejected as the tractor rolled over.
“After colliding with the tractor, the Peterbilt rolled onto its driver’s side spilling its load (sand) onto the roadway.
“The driver of the Case tractor was transported to Scott and White Medical Center for serious injuries.
The driver of the Peterbilt sustained minor injuries.
Investigators and clean-up crews remained at the scene for several hours.
The crash investigation is still “active and open,” according to the Dept. of Public Safety.”
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.