Two people died after a collision between an 18-wheeler and a pickup truck in Cherokee County, Texas, on Friday morning. Jesus Ayala, 48, and Ezequiel Villanueva, 49, were killed when the 18-wheeler crossed the center median on U.S. Highway 69 near County Road 2745 and struck their southbound pickup truck at approximately 5:35 a.m., according to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Chris Williamson.
The 18-wheeler, traveling northbound on U.S. 69, crossed into the southbound lanes for reasons still unknown, colliding with Ayala’s pickup truck on the driver’s side. The pickup rolled over onto its roof and came to rest in a ditch. Ayala was driving, while Villanueva was a passenger, as identified by Cherokee County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Amber Hood.
The driver and passenger of the 18-wheeler were transported to a nearby hospital, though the extent of their injuries remains unknown. The Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the investigation into the crash.
Investigation Continues
The Texas Department of Public Safety is working to determine the cause of the 18-wheeler crossing into oncoming traffic. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
