A Michigan man was killed Wednesday night, Oct. 14, in a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler on SH 99 (Grand Parkway) near FM 1960 in the Dayton area.
According to Sgt. Rob Willoughby, supervisor for the Liberty County office of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred around 10 p.m. when a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Joe Samuel Rodriguez of Michigan, was traveling southbound on SH 99.
Willoughby said Rodriguez crossed onto the wrong side of the roadway and collided head-on with a 2024 Volvo tractor-trailer.
The truck driver, 37-year-old Jared Paul of Beaumont, attempted to avoid the collision by steering to the left. However, Rodriguez reportedly steered in the same direction, and the two vehicles collided.
Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene by Liberty County Pct. 6 Justice of the Peace Ralph Fuller.
Paul and a 43-year-old co-driver who was resting in the truck’s sleeper berth escaped serious injury.
The crash shut down SH 99 for approximately seven hours while emergency crews worked at the scene and troopers conducted their investigation. The roadway reopened around 5 a.m. Thursday.
DPS Trooper Adam Satterbo is leading the investigation, assisted by Willoughby and Troopers Tyler Spear and Joey Burse. Trooper Chris Richmond conducted a post-crash inspection of the commercial vehicle.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Dayton Fire Department and Texas Department of Transportation also assisted at the scene.
Willoughby expressed concern about the dangers of SH 99, calling it “the worst road in Liberty County.”
Txdot was asked repeatedly to make hwy 99 4 lanes thru Liberty county but refused. Now they are currently surveying to start the expansion project. Would have been So much easier to do it right in the beginning. Can’t imagine the problems adding overpasses and 2 new lanes will cause now. What a Cluster.
The following is an email that I sent to TxDOT exactly one month ago today. Their response is included as well.
“There was another crash involving numerous vehicles and injuries last night on SH 99 near the Liberty/Chambers County line. It is passed time for TxDot to add concrete barriers to separate the two lanes on the only section of the highway that is not already separated on the east side. I know there has to be a certain number of crashes/injuries/fatalities, etc. before it becomes “cost effective” for the State to do something but what is the cost? TxDot can no longer be proactive regarding this safety issue. Now, you can only be reactive. For the love of God, react now and do the right thing. You seemed to have value engineered this section of SH 99 because of Liberty County’s more rural area. Traffic is passing through this section, not necessarily it being their final destination, unless that is, they are a victim of another head -on collision and that indeed will be their final destination. Step up TxDot. You created a dangerous situation now it’s time to correct your mistake and save a life or two, or three or more.”
“Thank you for reaching out, TxDOT is currently investigating any safety measures needed to implement on SH 99 and this location
Thank you,
Texas Department of Transportation”
No one seems to understand double yellow is a no passing zone
I’ve had a couple of close calls with idiots passing coming over an overpass in my lane. This madness needs to stop. These idiots will continue to be idiots killing themselves and others. TXDOT put dividers up before more people get killed. That road is dangerous.
They knew about this before they ever open the road! Just how many have to die before they decide to fix this? It was a death road from the very begining.
That’s why I don’t like traveling 99. There’s just been too many accidents too many people’s got killed it’s it’s just the way that it is it is when you get so far down 99. It’s hard hard to see which part is which especially at night my condolences to the family of the man that was deceased and everyone else involved prayers.
Why is there so many motor vehicle crashes on this road way ?