Maria Franco and Orfelinda Mullins ID’d as Victims of Fatal Milam County Crash on U.S. 77 near CR 230

Milam County, Texas (September 7, 2022) – The two people who were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Monday in Milam County have been identified.

Maria Reina Franco, 58, of Louise, Texas, and Orfelinda Martinez Mullins, 52, of Mineola, Texas, died in the crash that happened on September 5, on U.S. 77 near County Road 230.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers, a 2017 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup hauling a 5th wheel travel trailer was heading northbound on U.S. 77.  A 2013 Dodge Ram 3500 pick-up was also traveling northbound on U.S. 77 towing a cattle trailer behind the 2017 Dodge Ram.

A 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up truck was also traveling northbound on U.S. 77 behind the 2017 and 2013 Dodge trucks. The 2017 1500 Dodge Ram reportedly hit the cattle trailer causing it to dislodge. The cattle trailer traveled into the northbound barrow ditch and then collided with the 5th wheel trailer.

The 2013 Ram pick-up went across the center line and into the southbound lane, where it collided with a 2019 Chevrolet pick-up truck. A 2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV veered into the southbound lane and collided with the 2019 Chevrolet pickup.

Franco, who was a passenger in the Chevrolet pickup, was pronounced dead at the scene. Mullins, the driver of the Chevrolet Equinox, also died at the scene.

The driver of the 2017 Dodge Ram 3500, a 40-year-old man from Cameron, Texas, and the driver of the 2013 Dodge Ram 3500, a 39-year-old man from Temple, Texas, were uninjured.

A 58-year-old man from Louise, Texas, who was the driver of the 2019 Chevrolet pickup, was taken to Scott and White ER in Temple with non-incapacitating injuries.

No other details were provided.

The crash remains under investigation.

Common Causes of Automobile Accidents

There are many different reasons why automobile, 18-wheeler, and motorcycle accidents occur, including driver negligence, driver inattention, texting and driving, speeding, fatigue, failure to yield the right of way from a stop sign, or private drive, running a red light, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While the factors listed above are the main causes of most accidents, there may also be other factors involved, which is why it’s important that an investigation be conducted before evidence disappears, especially in cases involving a fatality.  At Joel A. Gordon & Associates, we will act quickly to secure accident scene photos, interview witnesses, obtain police records, and secure other valuable evidence needed to win your case.  Call now for a free consultation.

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