SANTA ANNA, TX (08/22/2016) — Harrison McClure died in a head-on collision on Monday that also left Kristina Watkins injured.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), 22-year-old Harrison Shields McClure (of Austin) was killed and 19-year-old Kristina Laurena Watkins (of San Antonio) was seriously injured following a wrong-way accident along Highway 84, about 1.3 miles north of Santa Anna in Coleman County.
The DPS reported that at around 12:45 p.m., 37-year-old Gregorio Flores was traveling southbound in a 2006 Ford F-350 when he lost control of his pickup truck on the wet roadway and veered into the northbound lane.
Flores’ truck collided with a 2009 Nissan Altima, driven by McClure.
Officials stated that McClure was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, Watkins, was taken to Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas for treatment of serious incapacitating injuries.
Flores, along with his two passengers 2-year-old Corbin Rivers and 8-year-old Logan Flores, were transported to Coleman County Medical Center for treatment of injuries.
The wreck is under investigation by Trooper Clinton Hounshell.
Commentary
The DPS has cited wet road conditions as a factor in this fatal collision, but this does not absolve the at-fault driver of responsibility or liability. Posted speed limits are based on ideal driving conditions, and all drivers are required to “drive to conditions” during inclement weather.
While police could decline to file criminal charges against the driver, he could still be held civilly liable for the damages this accident caused through a personal injury and/or wrongful death lawsuit. We will continue to update this story as more information is released.
