La Grange Man Dies in Auto Accident

A local man died early Sunday morning in a crash at the intersection of FM 609 and SH 71 Business on the west side of La Grange.

According to a report from La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath, the crash happened at 12:18 a.m. on June 13. The report said David Romero-Capetillo, 37 of La Grange, was driving a 2018 Chevy Colorado east on SH 71 Business “at a high rate of speed.” Gilbreath said Romero failed to stop at the red light in his lane of traffic.

The Chevy struck the trailer of an 18-wheeler that was making a left turn from FM 609 onto SH 71 Business. The Chevy passed underneath the trailer of the 18-wheeler and came to rest in a pasture alongside Old Plum Highway.

Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Charles Zapalac responded and determined that Romero died at the scene of the accident.

The 18-wheeler was a 2022 Kenworth truck-tractor pulling a vacuum trailer. Kenneth Wayne Volek of El Campo was driving the rig. Volek was not injured.

The accident was investigated by Sgt. Travis Anderson, Officer Curtis Zwahr and Officer David Mohr of the La Grange Police Department.

Deputies from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and the La Grange Fire Department also assisted.