3:20pm Update: DPS officials released the names of the drivers involved in this morning’s rollover and pedestrian accidents on Hwy 67. The young man airlifted to John Peter Smith Hospital was identified as 23-year-old Benjamin Purcell of Bangs.
DPS Trooper Moody who investigated the accident was reported to have spoken to Purcell’s family who stated that he is alert and talking, and that his injuries consist of a punctured lung and some broken ribs.
DPS officials report others drivers involved in the accident were Sherrell Matthews and Guillermo Hernandez, who were not hospitalized.
Original Article: A two-vehicle accident led to one man being airlifted after being struck by another oncoming vehicle Monday morning on Hwy 67/84 approximately one mile west of Bangs Hill outside of Brownwood.
According to the driver of a vehicle involved in the initial accident, he was driving his flat bed Chevy pickup in the outside inbound lane when a jeep struck him from behind at approximately 8:00am. After the two vehicles came to a stop, the man reported that the driver of the Jeep got out to look at the damage. A Chevy Tahoe traveling in the inbound lane came upon the accident and tried to swerve, but hit both the Jeep and its driver. He reported that the male driver of the Jeep was sent airborne into the drainage ditch and that the Tahoe flipped multiple times.
The 23-year-old male driver of the Jeep was airlifted to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth by Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter. The drivers of the pickup and Tahoe appeared uninjured and refused transport to the hospital for evaluation. The driver of the Tahoe, although her vehicle was totaled from the wreck and all airbags deployed, was wearing her seat belt according to reports.
Traffic was backed up while inbound lanes were shut down during the accident investigation. The cause of the accident was unknown; however the glare from the morning sun could have been a contributing factor according to law enforcement. The condition of the man struck by the vehicle was unknown Monday morning.
Brownwood Fire Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Bangs Volunteer Fire Department and Guardian EMS responded to the scene of the accident.
Pictured above is the damaged Tahoe. Below are additional photos of the accident scene.
Jeep pictured above from the initial collision; its driver was airlifted after being struck by the Tahoe.
Pictured above, the truck involved in the initial accident and another view of the Tahoe.
Air Evac helicopter lifts off to transport the injured male driver of the Jeep.
