Man Dies After His Disabled Vehicle Hit on Hwy. 71

A 21-year-old man from Dime Box died in a crash on State Highway 71 Tuesday morning, May 4.

According to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the wreck happened at 8:13 a.m. about four miles east of Ellinger near Zapalac Road. Jacob Bain, 21 of Dime Box, was driving a 1998 Dodge Ram pickup east on 71 in the inside lane. The report said Bain’s was attempting to move from the inside lane to the shoulder at a slow rate of speed due to some type of mechanical issue.

At that time, a 2001 Ken worth truck-tractor pulling a shipping container on a trailer was also heading east in the outside lane. The report said Bain’s pickup traveled in front of the semi rig. The Kenworth struck the Dodge pickup from behind.

The pickup burst into flames. The impact caused the bed of the pickup to separate from the cab. Both vehicles came to rest in the outside bar ditch.

Ellinger Volunteer Fire Department, Fayette County EMS and several Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene along with DPS. The Dodge pickup was fully engulfed in flames when the firefighters arrived. Bain did not survive.

Law enforcement closed both eastbound lanes of 71 for several hours while emergency workers put out the fire and cleared the wreckage.

The driver of the 18-wheeler was 59-year-old Raul Reyes of Channelview. Reyes declined medical treatment.