A Crash in Coke County Results in Fatality

A two-vehicle crash on U.S. 277, about one mile south of Bronte, left three Bronte residents injured and one deceased this past weekend, said Trooper Justin W. Baker, safety education and public information officer with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

According to the DPS report, the driver of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado pickup was traveling southbound on U.S. 277 Saturday, Sept. 12, at 11:39 a.m. The pickup attempted to pass an oversized load vehicle and collided head on with the driver of a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban who was heading northbound. The drivers hit front right to front right in the northbound barrow ditch, Baker said.

A passenger in the Suburban, Stover Wayne Taylor, 74, from Bronte, was pronounced dead at Shannon Medical Center by JP Kay Longest. The driver of the Silverado, Gage Johnson McDonald, 21, of Carlsbad, along with the driver of the Suburban, David Ray Bedford, 46, and another passenger in the Suburban, Everett Weldon Bedford, 75, both from Bronte, avoided injury in the collision; however, three other Bronte passengers, Misti Taylor Bedford, 44, Patsy Ann Bedford, 69, and Jerita Michaels Taylor, 69, were taken and treated at Shannon for injuries and an incapacitating injury.

Baker said the posted speed in the area was 75 mph, and the road conditions were dry and clear. All drivers and passengers wore seatbelts, and next of kin have been notified. Additionally, Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Matthew Walts investigated the incident, and Trooper Billy with DPS and the Coke County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the process.