A two-vehicle, head-on collision Wednesday afternoon on FM 973 near Samsung claimed the life of a La Grange woman.
Rachel Gonzales, 37, died from injuries sustained from the accident. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the scene.
According to a press release from DPS, Gonzales was traveling north on FM 973 in a 2001 Toyota Camry. She reportedly crossed a double yellow line into the southbound lane and collided with a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan.
Gonzales was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin have been notified.
In lieu of this fatality, Williamson County Sheriff Matthew Lindemann offered advice to drivers traveling on crowded rural roads such as FM 973.
“Be patient and don’t pass other vehicles when you’re not supposed to pass,” Lindemann said. “I know everyone is in a hurry to get to their destination, but when you pass somebody when you’re not supposed to on a blind spot in the road, you’re putting yourself and your family in danger as well as the other vehicles.”
Lindemann also pointed out that there has been an increase in commercial vehicles in Williamson County.
“We have three deputies who work commercial vehicle enforcement to make sure those vehicles are in compliance,” he said. “There are more trucks than deputies, so I ask the public to be aware of that and be patient with those vehicles as well.”
The driver of the Tiguan sustained incapacitating injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Wednesday’s fatality is under the investigation of DPS.
