A Baytown man was killed Thursday night in a head-on crash involving an 18-wheeler on SH 146 just south of the Polk County line, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:04 p.m. on May 14.
According to Sgt. Rob Willoughby, supervisor for the Liberty County office of DPS, a 2007 Ford Escape driven by a 40-year-old Baytown man was traveling northbound on SH 146. A 2024 Western Star 18-wheeler towing a 2013 tanker was traveling southbound on the highway.
For unknown reasons, the driver of the Ford Escape was traveling in the southbound lane and struck the tractor-trailer head-on. Willoughby said dash cam video from the truck confirmed the Ford Escape was in the wrong lane at the time of the collision.
The Baytown man was pronounced dead at the scene by Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Cody Parrish, who ordered an autopsy. The man’s body was transported to the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, identified as John Wayne Brown, 56, of Lumberton, was not injured, Willoughby said.
The crash was investigated by DPS Cpl. Nathaniel Godfrey and assisted by Willoughby, Trooper Courtland Friend, Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Davila, DPS Crash Team Trooper Thurston Thomas and DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officer Johnny Wilkerson.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and North Liberty County Volunteer Fire Department also assisted at the scene.
[…] fatal collision happened around 9:04 p.m. on May 14 on State Highway 146 just south of the Polk County […]