CALLAHAN COUNTY, TX — Two men were killed early Friday when the side-by-side ATV they were riding was struck from behind by a passenger car on State Highway 36, causing the ATV to overturn and catch fire, authorities reported.
Hunter Blake Patterson, 31, of Abilene, and Brett Cole Underwood, 29, of Clyde, died at the scene northwest of County Road 228 about 1 a.m., according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The preliminary investigation showed the Polaris Ranger ATV, driven by Patterson, entered SH 36 from a field on the west side while traveling south. A 2020 Toyota Corolla driven by Alfonso Martinez IV, 42, of Royse City, was also traveling south on the highway and collided with the rear of the ATV, DPS stated.
The impact caused the ATV to veer off the west side of the roadway and overturn. Both Patterson and Underwood were ejected and the ATV caught fire. Neither was wearing a seat belt.
Martinez, who was also not wearing a seat belt, was transported to Hendrick Medical Center North and later flown to University Medical Center in Lubbock for treatment of his injuries.
The two-vehicle crash occurred in clear weather on dry roads. The posted speed limit was 60 mph.
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