By David May
editor@mineralwellsindex.com
PALO PINTO COUNTY – A horrific head-on crash of tractor-trailer rigs left two truck drivers dead Monday morning on U.S. Highway 281 South.
The collision took place at the Union-Pacific railway overhead crossing about 10 miles south of Mineral Wells, north of the Brazos River bridge.
The 10 a.m. wreck left the highway closed in both directions as crews from Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Department worked to remove the two mortally injured drivers from the cabs of their mangled trucks. There were no other occupants.
Palo Pinto County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Bobby Hart pronounced both drivers dead at the scene and ordered routine toxicology tests on both.
The drivers were identified as Werner (Vern) Henry Vanzuydam, 25, of Stafford, Kan., and Douglas Joseph Voss, 43, of Mesquite, Texas.
The wreck remained under investigation Monday afternoon by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to reports and witnesses, a northbound double-trailer rig owned by Hearn Farms Inc. of Stafford, Kan., and driven by Vanzuydam moved to the left of center of the two-lane highway at the narrow, shoulder-less underpass.
Just north of the underpass, the southbound rig, Voss – driving a refrigerated trailer hauling various food and grocery items in a rig owned by Jones Vending and OCS Distributors Inc. of Dallas – reportedly slammed on his brakes. The southbound tractor-trailer combo began to jackknife as the northbound rig slammed into its cab, pushing the entire rig backward.
A trailing southbound pickup was unable to stop before impacting the rear of the southbound trailer, causing minor damage to the truck and no major injuries to the driver.
The Hearn Farms rig was reportedly hauling silage, a cattle feed by-product, from Dublin, Texas, to Frederick, Okla. All three trailers involved in the wreck remained intact. The cabs of both trucks were smashed and torn apart. Voss appeared to have died of internal chest and torso injuries caused by the impact while Vanzuydam was crushed within his cab.
Fuel tanks on both rigs were ripped open, sending diesel fuel onto the highway and down a storm drain leading to the nearby Brazos River. An environmental cleanup crew arrived on the scene around noon. Texas Department of Public Safety district official Ed Bodiford said the hazardous material crew would look down the drain, tributary and the river to stop and remove fuel from the waters and ground.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Monte Parker looks into the cab of one of two tractor-trailer rigs involved in a collision Monday morning on U.S. highway 281 South, about 10 miles south of Mineral Wells. The wreck left both drivers dead. David May/Index
The Index welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments that do not meet our standards will be removed. Comments by guests made anonymously must be approved before they appear.
Collision kills two truck drivers
Two tractor-trailer rigs smash head-on Monday morning on U.S. 281 south of Mineral Wells.
- Local News
-
-
Millsap couple charged with furnishing alcohol to minors
MILLSAP – A man and woman were booked into the Parker County jail Thursday morning in connection with furnishing alcohol to minors at a party April 29 in Millsap.
-
Thursday Blotter
The following people were processed through the Palo Pinto County Jail.
-
Fort Wolters Gate Committee continues Medal of Honor project
On March 23, Medal of Honor Day was proclaimed by Mayor Allen.
-
MWHS choirs give public performances Thursday
Five Mineral Wells ISD choirs will perform the annual end-of-the school year concert for the public Thursday, but this year students are trying to help raise funds for junior high choir director Abigail Weaver, who has been undergoing cancer treatment.
-
Man arrested in connection with church vandalism
A Mineral Wells police spokesperson confirmed a local man was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of criminal mischief under $20,000 at a place of worship.
-
County Records- May 14-21
Palo Pinto County Clerk Janette Green
Marriages -
Art Association opening Saturdays this summer
Starting June 2, the Mineral Wells Art Association is planning to open its doors on Saturdays this summer to students and adults who want to paint.
-
Mineral Wells City Council sets Tuesday meeting agenda
The Mineral Wells City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, at the City Hall Annex, 115 S.W. 1st St.
-
Candidate pays on owed county taxes
PALO PINTO – In the past few days Precinct 1 County Commissioner candidate Jesse Edwards said he’s been getting a handle on paying his delinquent Palo Pinto County business taxes.
-
Still seeking answers
SALT LAKE CITY — A memorial in the woods honors a Salt Lake City hero who gave his life fighting a wildfire.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Millsap couple charged with furnishing alcohol to minors
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
