24-Year-Old San Angelo Resident Dies in Crash Near Ballinger

BALLINGER, TX - This past Friday, shortly after 8:00 p.m., Texas State Trooper Connor Hardin with DPS Sweetwater was dispatched to a crash on US-83, about 6 miles north of Ballinger. According to officials, a three-car crash had occurred, leaving one person seriously injured, and one deceased on the scene.

According to Sergeant Justin Baker with the Texas Highway Patrol, a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Winters resident Rosendo F. Ovalles, 60, was driving southbound on US 83 when he attempted to pass other vehicles. At the same time, Eddie Clint Johnson, Jr., 25, of Ballinger, was traveling northbound at the same time in a 2000 Toyota 4Runner, and was struck by Ovalles' vehicle in the northbound lane. The 4Runner then swerved into the southbound lane and was stuck again by an oncoming third vehicle, a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by Kristen Marie Dennis, 28, of Mertzon.

Summer Newton Hernandez, 24, of San Angelo, who was a passenger in the Toyota 4Runner, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was taken to Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Johnson Jr., was taken to Shannon Medical Center with serious incapacitating injuries.

Dennis and her 3 year-old child were taken to Shannon Medical Center as well, where they were treated and released for their injuries. No injuries were indicated on the initial report on Ovalles.

DPS said everyone wore their seat belts at the time of the crash, which is still under investigation. 

Note: DPS reports noted that Summer Newton Hernandez is a San Angelo resident; however, we have received numerous reports that she's originally from Ballinger.