Three Injured After Driver Falls Asleep

Two people went to the hospital after a three-vehicle wreck on SH 71 west of La Grange last Wednesday, Nov. 9.

The crash happened around 7:15 p.m. near the intersection of Old Lockhart Rd., according to a report from Cpl. Patrick Mladenka of the Texas Highway Patrol.

The report said 24-year-old Hayden Layne Ham of Austin was driving a black 2017 Audi A3 west on SH 71. Laura Veloz, 39 of La Grange, was driving a black 2021 GMC Sierra pickup. The pickup was in the crossover attempting to cross the eastbound lanes to enter onto Old Lockhart Rd.

Mladenka’s report said Ham fell asleep, and his Audi entered the center median. The Audi struck a dip in the median and went airborne, striking the top of the GMC pickup. The Audi continued airborne. As it came down, the front of the vehicle struck the asphalt in the eastbound lanes of SH 71. The Audi rolled upside down and slid a short distance before coming to rest.

At that time, a red 2019 Tesla Model 3 driven by 43-yearold Sujan Kumar Gade of Sugarland was traveling eastbound on SH 71. The Tesla took evasive action to avoid striking the Audi. However, it struck debris from the Audi, causing damage to the front right and undercarriage of the Tesla.

Mladenka wrote in his report that all three drivers suffered possible injuries. Ham and Veloz were taken by Fayette County EMS to St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange for treatment. Gade was not hospitalized. All three drivers were wearing seat belts.