Man Dies on Hwy. 71

A man from Richmond died in a single-vehicle accident on State Highway 71 last Sunday morning, May 16.

According to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash happened around 2:04 a.m. on SH 71 between Power Plant Road and Zapalac Road. The report said 37-year-old Justin Ray Garcia of Richmond was driving a 2013 Chevy Camaro westbound in the outside lane.

A passenger, 39-year-old Dana Marie Hall of Rosenberg, was also in the vehicle.

The Camaro approached a truck-tractor pulling a trailer that was also heading westbound. The report said Garcia attempted to avoid a collision with the semi truck and took evasive action toward the right improved shoulder. The Camaro entered the ditch on the north side of the road and struck a tree.

Garcia died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. The report said he was not wearing a seat belt. Hall suffered injuries but survived. She was taken to St. David’s Hospital in South Austin for treatment.