EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Tragedy struck in the Security area around 10:50 a.m. on Wednesday, when a sports car struck a TxDOT vehicle on Hwy 105 at Security Forest.
A TxDOT grader, driven by Ryan Smith of Cleveland, was parked on the shoulder of highway waiting for a crew to put cones in place before roadwork began, according to Dave Jeffreys of TxDOT. The grader was licensed to operate on public roadways and signs were already in place warning drivers of work crews ahead.
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An eastbound 1977 Corvette, driven by 56-year-old Richard Snider of Rye left the marked lane, crossing over to the shoulder of the road and striking the back of the grader.
Cut-and-Shoot Fire Department, assisted by North Montgomery County Fire Department responded along with Montgomery County Hospital District medics. As firefighters worked to extricate Snider from the wreckage, he died.
DPS Trooper Travis Wroten investigated the crash, which narrowed Hwy 105 to one lane until 2 p.m., with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office providing traffic control.
A witness said Snider appeared to be traveling at the posted speed and the grader had flashing amber lights activated and a triangular caution sign on the rear stating it was a slow moving vehicle.
Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Trey Spikes conducted the inquest, listing the time of death as 11:08 a.m. and ordering an autopsy.
