Man Dies in Hwy. Collision

A local man driving a Polaris Ranger utility vehicle succumbed to injuries after a crash with an 18-wheeler in Rek Hill Tuesday, May 14.

The wreck happened around 1:48 p.m. at the intersection of Rek Hill Rd. and SH 159.

Trooper Josh Berger with the Texas Highway Patrol, who investigated the accident, said a local elderly man, Joe Coufal Sr., was driving the Polaris Ranger on a private driveway west of SH 159. Berger said Coufal attempted to cross the highway to Rek Hill Rd.

At that time, a truck-tractor pulling a gravel trailer was heading north on SH 159. The 18-wheeler crashed into the Polaris Ranger. The impact ejected Coufal and he landed on the highway.

Fayette County EMS and Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department responded to the crash. EMS transported Coufal to the helipad at the Fayetteville Fire Station. From there, he was flown to Austin for trauma care. Coufal died at the hospital.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office also responded and assisted at the scene with traffic control, along with the Fayetteville firefighters.