La Grange Woman Dies in Early Morning Wreck on Highway 77

A local woman died in a head-on collision on Hwy. 77 south of La Grange Thursday morning, Feb. 8.

The wreck happened around 6:35 a.m. in the road construction zone near the intersection of US 77 and Hausmann Cutoff Rd. Trooper Louis Gabler with the Texas Highway Patrol investigated the crash.

Gabler said 60-year-old Joy Ruth Lyle of La Grange was driving a white 2008 Ford Ranger pickup north on US 77.

Gabler’s report noted that, due to the construction, there were no painted or striped lines on the highway, only yellow road markers indicating the center line.

The report said Lyle crossed the center line and collided with a red 2020 Ford Escape driven by Dezarae Rose Manger, 42 of Victoria. Both vehicles impacted each other on the driver’s side. Lyle’s pickup flipped end-over-end and came to rest on the roof facing southwest. Manger’s Escape spun around and came to rest in the west ditch facing the northwest.

La Grange Volunteer Fire Department responded and extricated Manger from the crushed vehicle.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts, according to Gabler’s report, and air bags deployed in both vehicles. Lyle died in the crash. Manger suffered serious injuries. A PHI Medical Helicopter flew her to Dell Seton Hospital in Austin for treatment.

Gabler’s report stated that he believes Lyle may have fallen asleep while driving.

The crash blocked US 77 for about two hours Thursday morning. First responders cleared the scene around 8:30 a.m.