DPS Confirms 1 Dead in Fiery Crash North of Grape Creek

SAN ANGELO, TX —  According to Texas DPS at the scene, the orange or red 2005 Hyundai passenger car was traveling west on Glass Road and did not yield to the right-of-way of a northbound black 2016 Toyota Tundra on U.S. 87 at a stop sign. The Tundra T-boned the Hyundai on the car’s passenger side. The Hyundai caught fire and the sole occupant was killed, DPS said.

The Tundra careened across the barrow ditch on the east side of the four-lane, divided highway. There were three occupants in the Tundra. All three were rushed to Shannon Medical Center with what DPS characterized as minor injuries.

The crash happened at 10:09 p.m. Aug. 31. Along this stretch of U.S. 87, DPS reported the speed limit was 75 mph. The skies were clear and roadway dry.

Friday morning, DPS released the names of the crash victims. Killed was Adrian Ismael Rodriguez, 27, of San Angelo. He was driving a red 2005 Hyundai Accent. Driving the black Tundra was Joseph Angelo Corona, 61, of Laredo. His passengers were Katherine May Corona, 57, also of Laredo; and Mary Corona, 17, of Laredo. All three occupants of the Tundra received minor injuries.

The original story:

A fatal crash happened at approximately 10 p.m. in the northbound lanes of U.S. 87 at Glass Road. Both northbound lanes are closed, and traffic is being diverted on Glass Rd. to Grape Creek Rd. west into Carlsbad before rejoining U.S. 87.

From observation, there are two vehicles involved and there is at least one fatality. At least one of the vehicles burst into flames after impact.

The location of the crash:

The Grape Creek VFD and Carlsbad VFD extinguished the blaze. Also on scene are Texas DPS and the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office.

Justice of the Peace Susan Werner arrived at the scene at 11:40 p.m.

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The crash investigation continued into the early morning hours, performed by DPS. We didn't get a statement from them at the scene.

From observation, the other vehicle was a black pickup, seen resting upright beyond the barrow ditch off the highway on the east side of the roadway. Its airbags were deployed. The driver of the pickup appeared to have been treated at the scene and refused transport to Shannon Medical Center. The car where the fatality occurred was an orange four-door compact sedan. That car ignited in flames after impact. 

When DPS releases its initial crash investigation we publish additional information.