Three Die in Crash Outside La Grange

Three people died in a horrific crash on State Hwy. 71 Monday afternoon, Jan. 10.

The wreck happened at the intersection of SH 71 and Airport Rd. west of La Grange around 1:22 p.m., according to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety. A 2017 Volvo truck-tractor pulling a trailer was heading west on SH 71. The driver of the rig, 38-year-old Ezathullah Atiq of Houston, entered the turning lane to take a left.

The truck and trailer were stopped in the turning lane when a white Toyota Camry approached from behind. The westbound Toyota entered the turning lane and crashed into the back of the trailer. The report said the Toyota burst into flames, burning the three occu pants “beyond identification.”

DPS told the Record on Wednesday that they had not yet been able to identify the victims or notify their next-of-kin. DPS said they hoped to identify the bodies by the end of the week.

La Grange Volunteer Fire Department, Fayette County EMS and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office all assisted at the scene. DPS Trooper Josh Berger investigated the crash.

Editor's note: The original story incorrectly stated that the crash happened at the intersection of SH 71 and Bordovsky Rd. We corrected the story above.