VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas — Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) accident investigators believe speed was a factor in a fiery fatal accident in Van Zandt County Tuesday night which originated as a reckless driver 911 call in Kaufman County.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas — Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) accident investigators believe speed was a factor in a fiery fatal accident in Van Zandt County Tuesday night which originated as a reckless driver 911 call in Kaufman County.
The accident occurred at approximately 5 p.m. on County Road (CR) 2627 west of Farm-to-Market (FM) 47 and just south of eastbound I-20. The vehicle was traveling westbound on the I-20 frontage road which turns into CR 2627 as the road curves south. The driver failed to maneuver the curve, veered off the road into an embankment, and struck a large tree, according to investigators.
Witnesses told police the vehicle erupted in flames after striking the tree. The witness estimated the vehicle was traveling at a rate of speed over 100 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone.
DPS received a 911 call about a reckless driver in Kaufman County, approximately four miles west from the scene of the accident, just prior to the accident. DPS confirmed the license plate matches the description of the vehicle in the 911 call which was described traveling at a high rate of speed.
Investigators are working to determine if there were any other factors that may have caused the accident.
The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene by Van Zandt County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Ronnie L. Daniell. The victim was identified as 35-year-old Sandra Higgins of Van, Texas.
The Van Zandt County Sherrif’s Office, DPS, and the Wills Point Volunteer Fire Department responded to the accident. The road was closed while emergency personnel were on scene.
