Staff Reports
A early morning New Year’s Day auto accident claimed the life of one driver and injured two others.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office call report, around 3 a.m., January 1, a white Ford Ranger was in the roadway on Tx 49 just South of Joe Davis Road. The driver was reported as appearing passed out over the steering wheel.
The reporting individuals indicated they believed the driver was intoxicated.
When approached, the driver started the vehicle and pulled onto the highway, driving erratically. The vehicle narrowly missed hitting several other vehicles and pulled into oncoming traffic along a steep hill where it struck an 18-wheeler head-on.
The driver was thrown from the vehicle prior to the vehicle catching fire.
A passenger in the 18-wheeler, along with the driver were injured.
The injured individuals were transported to a Longview hospital.
Marion County Justice of the Peace Lena Pope, pronounced the driver of the Ford, Dustin Lee Coston, deceased.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Mims EMS, TxDOT and Texas DPS Officers assisted with the call.