Posted 12:19 am Thursday, June 14, 2012
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2 Killed In 4-Vehicle Accident In Anderson County
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Two Anderson County residents were killed Tuesday in a four-vehicle accident that began with police being called about a reckless driver.
Palestine Police Sgt. James Muniz said that just prior to 6 p.m. Tuesday the Anderson County Sheriff's Office was called by multiple witnesses that a 2003 Ford pickup was driving recklessly near the Elkhart area.
"There were additional calls received when the Ford truck reached a point approximately a half mile from the Palestine city limits. The final call came to the Palestine Police Department indicating there was an accident in the 2200 block of Crockett Road," he said.
Muniz said on arrival officers found a major accident involving the Ford driven by Jack Allen Sprague, of Palestine; a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe operated by Gena Anne Diaz, of Elkhart; a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Gerald Ray Morris, of Palestine; and a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe operated by Joseph Simon Coleman, of Palestine.
Muniz said both Sprague and Diaz had to be extracted from their vehicles by the Palestine Fire Department and were transported to Palestine Regional Medical Center, where they both died of their injuries.
Coleman was transported from the scene by private vehicle to the hospital for possible injuries while Morris was uninjured.
The accident report indicates that Sprague was traveling northbound on Texas Highway 19 (Crockett Road) and Ms. Diaz was southbound when it appeared that Sprague crossed over into the southbound lane. The vehicles driven by Sprague and Diaz collided head-on.
"It is unknown if Sprague was having some type of medical episode at the time of the accident. There was no indication that alcohol may have been involved. The final results of the investigation will not be complete until the final autopsy reports are received by the Palestine Police Department," he said.
Muniz said the Texas Department of Public Safety is assisting his department in the investigation.
"This was a major accident involving the death of two people. The DPS was able to provide additional equipment and manpower in assisting with this accident investigation," he said. "We had to shut down a major state highway for a short period of time and with their help we were able to get the scene measured and marked quickly and efficiently. We truly appreciate the assistance."
