Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating multiple accidents which occurred as a result of vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on Highway 67 just west of Brownwood Saturday night.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Tyler Moses, the initial call came in at 7:31 p.m. as a reported reckless driver in a Mitsubishi Galant traveling eastbound (toward Brownwood) in the westbound lanes of the roadway.
Shortly after the call, at least two vehicles were reported to have been run off the roadway in an attempt to avoid colliding with the Mitsubishi traveling in the wrong direction, stated Moses.
Another vehicle, a Ford F-150 was struck by the Mitsubishi near the top of Bangs Hill. The Mitsubishi was found to be overturned as a result and the 26-year-old female driver of the vehicle had to be extracted. Air Evac Lifeteam was called to the scene of the accident to fly the female for treatment; however, Moses stated that she was not able to be flown due to her unstable condition and was taken by Lifeguard Ambulance to Brownwood Regional Medical Center. After the woman was stabilized at the hospital, she was flown by helicopter to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth for treatment of her injuries. Moses stated that she remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Moses stated that it is unknown exactly how many vehicles encountered the Mitsubishi as it traveled on the wrong side of the divided roadway; however, the witness reported being run off the roadway, a Chevy Cruise had been run off the roadway into the center median, and a Ford F-150 was struck by the Mitsubishi. The witness and the two occupants of the Cruise were reported to be uninjured. The male driver and sole occupant of the Ford F-150 sustained possible injuries which were non-incapacitating and refused transport to the hospital by ambulance, said Moses.
Trooper Moses stated that it is unknown what caused the driver of the Mitsubishi to be traveling on the wrong side of the roadway and that an investigation is ongoing.
Brownwood Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Brownwood Fire Department, Bangs Police, Early Police, Early Volunteer Fire Department and Bangs Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the scene of the accidents.
