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.