040426 DOUBLE FATAL CRASH SH 99 AT COMMUNITY

About 2:30 pm, with heavy rain falling, a woman in a Chrysler Pacifica was southbound on SH 99 just past the Community Drive entrance ramp when DPS Troopers believe she hydroplaned. She was struck almost head-on by a northbound GMC pickup driver, a male who was pronounced deceased on the scene. The female, who was ejected from the vehicle, was transported to the hospital but was also pronounced deceased. The vehicle spun, rolled, and burst into flames. The highway was closed for over 3 hours as DPS investigated the crash. Saddle Creek wrecker removed the GMC from the Scene. Smith Towing removed the Chrysler from the scene. Wrecker drivers and West Liberty County firefighters spent over an hour clearing debris. TXDOT responded to the scene after the heat from the fire caused several mini eruptions in the concrete. A memorial marks the spot of another fatal crash within 100 feet of that location. This is the fifth person to die on SH 99 in Liberty County this week. Earlier in the week, a Cleveland Pastor heading back to Cleveland from a church service. His wife and teenage son were following when a Ford F-150 crossed the center line at FM 1960, killing his wife and son. Both sections of toll road at those locations are two-lane and only separated by a double yellow o passing line. Neal Funeral Home removed the deceased male from the scene. Names will be released once notification of families is made by DPS.