Wilbarger County, Texas – Texas Highway Patrol Troopers are currently investigating two car wrecks that occurred on Saturday, one in Wilbarger County and the other in Montague County. The first crash on US 287 southbound near Oklaunion involved three vehicles, resulting in two fatalities and seven injuries, according to authorities.
Sgt. Juan Gutierrez of the Texas Department of Public Safety disclosed that the initial investigation revealed a complex sequence of events leading to the tragic collision. A Honda Odyssey and a GMC Yukon, each carrying passengers, were navigating US 287 in opposite directions when the Honda Odyssey lost control, veered over the median, and collided with the GMC head-on. Additionally, a Honda Pilot attempted to avoid the crash but ended up colliding with the GMC as well.
Tragically, the driver of the Honda Odyssey, identified as 43-year-old Than Than Shwe from Vernon, TX, was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained in the crash. Another victim, a 9-year-old girl from Dallas who was a passenger in the GMC Yukon, was transported to Wilbarger General and later succumbed to her injuries.
Meanwhile, in Montague County, a separate crash occurred on US 81 south of Stoneburg involving a single vehicle. At the time of reporting, no fatalities had been confirmed, but authorities were actively investigating the incident.
The collisions resulted in the closure of US 287 for several hours as investigators worked to piece together the events leading to the tragic outcomes. The community is mourning the loss of lives and hoping for a swift recovery for those injured in the accidents.
As the Texas Highway Patrol continues its investigations into both crashes, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safe driving practices and vigilance on the road. The impact of these accidents ripples through families and communities, highlighting the need for caution and adherence to traffic regulations.