Flatonia Driver Dies in Wreck

A Flatonia man died in a wreck on SH 95 north of Flatonia Monday morning, Feb. 20.

According to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the wreck happened around 6:15 a.m. about a half mile north of Three Mile Rd.

The deceased, 36-year-old Manuel Hernandez of Flatonia, was driving a black 2004 Honda Civic. He was heading south on SH 95. A silver 2007 Hyundai Sonata driven by Gariela Ortiz, 51 of Flatonia was heading north on SH 95 while approaching a curve in the roadway.

DPS Trooper Patrick Mladenka investigated the accident and wrote in his report that visibility was poor at the time due to fog.

The report said the Sonata crossed over double striped lines in a no passing zone and was on the wrong side of the roadway as it traveled through the curve. The front left of the Sonata struck the front left of the Honda Civic. Hernandez died in the crash.

Mladenka’s report said skid marks and gouge mark evidence at the scene indicated that the Sonata was approximately 2.5 feet over the double striped line in the wrong lane.

The report said the final investigation was pending the result of medical records and the autopsy.

Ortiz was taken to St. David Hospital in North Austin with serious incapacitating injuries.

The report said both drivers were wearing seat bags and air bags deployed in both vehicles.