Man Dies After 3-Vehicle Crash

An 85-year-old man from Brenham died in a three-vehicle accident on State Highway 71 west of Ellinger on Sunday.

The crash happened around 7:59 p.m. at the intersection of SH 71 and FM 955, according to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The report said 85-year-old Wilfred Gaskamp of Brenham was driving a 2019 Chevy Colorado eastbound and attempted to turn onto FM 955. Richard Oney Keeton, 25 of Fayetteville, was driving a 2005 Jeep Liberty westbound on SH 71 in the inside lane. The report said Gaskamp failed to yield the right-of-way at the intersection and turned in front of Keeton’s Jeep.

The Jeep struck the Chevy on the passenger side, sending it into a side skid. The Chevy struck a 2018 Toyota Highlander that was stopped on FM 955 at the intersection. The driver of the Toyota was 30-year-old Noah Lee Matocha of Fayetteville; his wife Lauren Matocha and one-year-old son Tesian James Matocha were also in the vehicle.

The Chevy traveled into the ditch on the west side of 955 where it came to rest. Gaskamp died in the crash. The report said Keeton suffered injuries and was taken to St. David’s Hospital in South Austin for Treatment. The Matochas were treated at the scene and released, the report said.