Two Lives Lost on Wet Kimble County Highway

KIMBLE COUNTY, TX - Two people lost their lives on the same wet highway in Kimble County within the last week; one was a 53-year-old motorcyclist from Lubbock, and the other was a 27-year-old Houston man.

The first crash took place on Nov. 3. The Department of Public Safety said, at approximately 3:10 p.m., Duane and Deana Wendt, 51, also of Lubbock, were traveling eastbound on a 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle in the right lane on Interstate 10, about 13 miles east of Junction, during rainy conditions. Due to the rain, the motorcycle was traveling at an unsafe speed.

"The motorcycle ran over a puddle of water that was in the right lane of travel and lost control," said DPS. "Both the motorcycle operator and the passenger were thrown from the motorcycle."

Duane Wendt sustained injuries to his head, and Deana sustained injuries that included a broken arm. Both parties were transported to the Sid Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrville, Texas by Kimble County EMS.

"Due to the operator of the motorcycle sustaining significant injuries to his head, he was air-lifted to the San Antonio Military Medical Center by Air-Life where he received treatment and was placed in the Intensive Care Unit," said DPS. "The operator of the motorcycle succumbed to his injuries on November 7, 2016."

DPS did not mention whether or not the couple wore helmets.

As for the second crash, that also took place on Interstate 10, about 14 miles east of Junction this morning at 3:54 a.m.

DPS said 27-year-old Brian Thomas Borski and passenger Jason M. Drymalla, 27, of Midland, were traveling westbound on IH 10 in a 2004 Ford F-250, left the roadway to the left going across the center median, and continued across the eastbound lanes of the highway. The Ford overturned to the left after hitting pavement and struck the guardrail on the right shoulder in the eastbound lane. The vehicle continued to roll and went down the south side embankment and came to rest on its top facing north.

The weather was also rainy during the time of this crash. DPS officials said Borski was pronounced dead at the scene by JP Peggy Ragsdale. Next of kin have been notified. 

Drymalla suffered non-incapacitating injuries. DPS said both men wore their seat belts at the time of the crash.