By Christin Coyne
Mineral Wells Index
SANTO —
Two men were transported to the hospital following a wreck on Interstate 20 around 2 a.m. Thursday that contributed to a second wreck several minutes later, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
DPS Sgt. Jason Dudley said they believe the driver of a westbound tractor-trailer rig, Riley Earl Clemons, 48, of Dallas, may have fallen asleep before veering left into the median about 4 miles west of U.S. Highway 281.
Clemons then overcorrected, coming to rest on the westbound lanes of the highway, Dudley said.
Several minutes later, a second crash took place when a second semi struck the first truck after attempting to take evasive action, Dudley reported.
Clemons was transported by air ambulance to John Peter Smith hospital in Fort Worth according to the DPS.
The driver of the second truck, Hans Frederick, 59, of Tucson, Ariz., was transported to Palo Pinto General Hospital by Mineral Wells EMS.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts, DPS reported.
Westbound traffic was rerouted at U.S. Highway 281 exit along the north frontage road to Farm-to-Market Road 4, Dudley said. The accident was cleared by about 9 a.m.
No citations have been issued.
Santo Volunteer Fire Department responded with a fire engine and ambulance, along with a Moutain River Volunteer Fire Department and Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Department, public information officer Brian Gordon reported.
The Index was unable to obtain information Thursday afternoon on the condition of Clemons.
Index staff writer Christin Coyne can be reached at (940) 325-4465, ext. 3428, or ccoyne@mineralwellsindex.com.
