A three-vehicle accident early Monday morning, Dec. 9, resulted in the death of a 32-year-old Conroe man. The crash occurred around 6:47 a.m. on SH 321, near the intersection with CR 2243.
Sgt. Rob Willoughby, supervisor for the Liberty County office of the Texas Department of Public Safety, reported that the Conroe man was driving a 2015 Nissan Altima at a very high rate of speed in the center turn lane of SH 321. As he approached CR 2243, the Altima collided with a 1999 Ford F-250 pickup truck driven by Espiridion Ventura, 34, of Waller, Texas. Ventura was in the process of turning southbound onto CR 314 from the center lane.
The front right sections of the Altima and F-250 struck one another, causing the Conroe man, who was not wearing a seatbelt, to be ejected from his vehicle. He landed in the turning lane and was killed instantly.
The collision between the Altima and the F-250 also impacted a third vehicle, a 2017 Kia Forte driven by Donna Enderle, 52, of Liberty, Texas. Fortunately, both Enderle and Ventura were unharmed and did not require hospitalization.
Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace Wade Brown was called to the scene to conduct an inquest and pronounce the Conroe man deceased. His identity is being withheld until next of kin can be notified, which is expected to happen by Tuesday.
The accident was investigated by Trooper Levi Wilcox, with assistance from Sgt. Willoughby and Trooper Brittany Sherman. SH 321 remained closed for more than three hours while authorities conducted their investigation and cleared the scene.
Willoughby said this tragic accident serves as a reminder of the importance of seatbelt use and safe driving.
