James Crabtree and Ronald Ross Killed in Hico Big Rig Crash on US 281

Hico, Texas (August 1, 2019) – Two people were killed in a fiery three-big rig crash Wednesday morning in Hamilton County, according to the troopers.

The fatal crash occurred at about 9:00 a.m. July 31, on US 281, south of the State Highway 6 split.

DPS said a 2019 Volvo truck-tractor semi-trailer (TTST) was heading northbound while a 2015 Freightliner TTST was traveling southbound. A 2011 Mack TTST was heading southbound behind the Freightliner.

The Volvo crossed over onto the path of the Freightliner and the two vehicles collided head-on. The Mack driver took evasive action but was unable to and hit the Volvo and Freightliner.

The Volvo driver, James Crabtree, 33, of San Antonio and the driver of the Freightliner Ronald Ross, 59, of Millsap, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Mack, Elmer Saling, 66, of Lawn, was uninjured in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.