27-Year-Old Man Dies in Taylor County Crash

TAYLOR COUNTY, TX - Last night, a 27-year-old Natchez, Mississippi man died in a one-vehicle crash in Taylor County on IH 20, about 5 miles west of Merkel.

Department of Public Safety (DPS) officials said Payden Andrew Pressgrove, at 10:46 p.m., was traveling eastbound on IH 20 in a 2005 Toyota Tundra in the left lane when he drifted across the fog line. Pressgrove then overcorrected to the right and went across the eastbound lanes. The Tundra went into a side skid, and into the south side median. It then rolled over to its left, across the south service road, and into the ditch on the south side of the service road. DPS said Pressgrove was ejected during the roll over.  

Pressgrove, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to Abilene Professional Services.

Trooper Charles “Dee” Hoover II with DPS Abilene investigated the crash, and that investigation is ongoing.

DPS said weather conditions at the time of the crash were clear and dry, and the posted speed limit in the area is 75 mph.