Wrong-Way Driver Hits State Trooper on Hwy. 71

A wrong-way driver crashed into a State Trooper on SH 71 last Friday, Dec. 29, around 7:45 a.m.

Trooper Josh Berger of the Texas Highway Patrol reported that several motorists called 911 to report a gray Toyota Prius driving east in the westbound lanes of SH 71 near Cottletown Rd. in Bastrop County between Smithville and Bastrop. Berger said he along with several troopers from Bastrop and Fayette County, Sheriff’s deputies and Smithville Police officers tried to stop the vehicle. Their attempts were unsuccessful.

The Toyota continued driving for several miles through Smithville and into Fayette County. Berger said the Prius was traveling at a relatively slow speed while motorists heading west swerved to avoid hitting it.

The chase came to an end when the Prius struck Berger’s patrol unit near Lady Bird Loop west of West Point. Berger said the driver of the Prius was an elderly man from the Giddings area. Berger said he believes the man was experiencing some kind of medical problem.

Berger was not injured. The driver suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash. Fayette County EMS transported him to Smithville Seton Hospital for treatment.

The crash remains under investigation, Berger said.