Smithville Man Dies in Crash on Hwy. 71 Near Plum

A Smithville man died in a crash on State Hwy. 71 near Plum on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

The crash happened around 3:01 p.m. Trooper Jon Martinez with the Texas Highway Patrol investigated the wreck. Martinez’ report said Rigan Naun Espinoza Valle, 42 of Austin, was driving a white 2020 GMC 2500 pickup west on SH 71 in the inside lane. A black 2021 Lexus GX470 SUV driven by 79-year-old Michael Headrick of Smithville was also heading west on SH 71 in the outside lane a short distance behind the GMC.

The report said Headrick passed the GMC pickup and then made an unsafe lane change. The left rear corner of the SUV struck the front right corner of the pickup. The Lexus lost control and slid into the median. It rolled several times before striking the cable barrier. After striking the barrier, the Lexus continued to roll across both lanes of eastbound traffic. It came to rest in the shoulder facing southwest. Headrick died in the crash, the report said.

The GMC pickup came to rest in the center median facing west. The driver of the pickup was not injured. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.