Franklin D. Stoeltje and Annie Lois Stoeltje Killed in Fayette County Car Accident on U.S. 77
Fayette County, Texas (May 18, 2019) – A couple was killed on Tuesday in Fayette County, a local news source reported.
The fatal crash occurred on Tuesday, May 14, on U.S. 77, south of Swiss Alp and north of FM 956.
DPS said Franklin D. Stoeltje, 85, and Annie Lois Stoeltje, 84, both of Victoria, were northbound in a 2010 Toyota SUV behind a 1994 Ford van driven by Jorge Tobon, 57, of Houston. Franklin failed to control his speed and rear-ended the Ford as it tried to turn into a private driveway.
The impact caused the Toyota to spin into the southbound lane where it was hit by a tractor-trailer.
The couple was pronounced dead at the scene. They had been married for more than 60 years.
Tobon and driver of the tractor-trailer, Taner Ray Richardson, 24, of Oklahoma, were taken to Columbus Community Hospital with minor injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.