2 people die in 3-vehicle crash on Highway 79 in Panola County

Wreck involved two 18-wheelers

Source: Inter Community VFD Facebook page (Source: Inter Community VFD FB page)

By KLTV Digital Media Staff | January 30, 2021 at 8:45 AM CST - Updated February 1 at 6:45 PM

PANOLA COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - At approximately 7 a.m. Saturday, authorities responded to a three-vehicle fatal crash on US 79, about eleven miles north of Carthage in Panola County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

A post on the Inter Community Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page included pictures of the wreck scene. According to the Facebook post, the Inter Community and Community Four VFDs were called out to a report that two 18-wheelers had collided head-on on State highway 79 between FM 1186 and FM 31 and that the whole road was blocked.

The first units that got to the scene found that three vehicles had been involved and there was a lot of debris in the road, the Facebook post stated. Emergency personnel also learned that one driver was still trapped in the cab of a truck. The second driver was out of his or her vehicle and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The post said a third person was struck as a result of the crash and was not in a vehicle.

Firefighters were able to provide medical care to one person at the scene, and they extricated the 18-wheeler drive who died from the wreck of his truck, the Facebook post stated. Other firefighters assisted with traffic control.

We would like to remind everyone that these times are very hard and difficult for everyone,” the Facebook post stated. “Please remember to keep all the families in your prayers and pray for our first responders as they have to see all this unfold. I assure you this kind of job isn’t easy and takes a toll on everyone.”

The roadway was shut down, and traffic was diverted around the crash scene for hours while wrecker service personnel, Texas Department of Transportation employees, and a Hazmat team were clearing the scene, according to an Inter Community VFD spokesperson.

The road has now been re-opened to traffic.

The Facebook post went on to thank the Elysian Fields Fire Department, DPS, the Panola County Sheriff’s Office, Allegiance EMS, Garrets Wrecker Service, TxDOT, and Lonestar Hazmat for their assistance.