Elkhart, TX : 28-year-old Dallas man died and two others seriously injured in a one-vehicle wreck on U.S. 287 just outside of Elkhart on Friday evening, April 22, 2016

A 28-year-old Dallas man died and two others were seriously injured in a one-vehicle wreck Friday evening on U.S. 287 just outside of Elkhart. The two injured were flown to Tyler and one did not appeared injured.

The driver was falling asleep as he was heading northbound on U.S. 287 from Corrigan, said 21-year-old Miguel Corona. The four men were going home to the Dallas area.

At 4:29 p.m., law enforcement responded to a wreck on U.S. 287 southbound, near County Road 184. First responders arrived to find a white truck down a grassy hill and near a tree.

A lone passenger was left at the scene after one died, one was airlifted to Tyler and one taken to the Palestine Regional Medical Center, later airlifted to Tyler.

“I was asleep in the right back passenger corner,” said Corona of Mesquite. “I had my seat belt on, but I don't think anybody else did.”

Trooper Jack Hallock confirmed Corona was the only one wearing his seat belt.

“I woke up because I felt the tires driving over the ridges, causing the truck to shake,” said Corona.

The truck went off to the right shoulder and into the grass. The driver, 48-year-old Juan Mercado of Dallas, realized and over-corrected, sending the truck across the southbound lane and into the grass area of the left side.

“We flipped and I held onto a bar for hanging clothes and grabbed the door,” Corona said. “I kept my eyes open the entire time just in case. I wanted to be prepared. I held on as tight as I could.”

Once the vehicle stopped rolling, Corona noticed the driver and the other passenger were no longer in the vehicle.

“I began to freak out, and I got out to open my uncle's (40-year-old Jesus Ramero of Wells Point) door who was in front of me,” said Corona. “I saw his femur was completely shattered.”

He looked for the other passenger and driver.

“The driver was walking to me and crying to me,” said Corona. “But he wasn't responding to anything I was telling him. I saw blood coming from his ear.”

The 28-year-old man who died was thrown from the vehicle landing in a tree.

“As soon as I saw him, I tried pushing on his body to wake him up, but yeah...” Corona said.

Judge Gary Thomas pronounced the 28-year-old passenger dead. Herrington Funeral Home removed the body from the scene. The family has not been notified.

Troopers found open alcohol containers and ice around the vehicle. Hallock said the driver is being tested for Alcohol Blood Content.

Source :
One dies in vehicle wreck