3 KILLED AND 3 HURT IN MILAM COUNTY COLLISION

(MILANO)  A tragic auto accident has taken the lives of three people Monday here in Milam County.  The accident happened near Nat’s Place west of Milano on Hwy 79 shortly before 7:30 a.m.  Pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Twila Harris was the driver of one of the vehicles, Denice Holland, age 46 of Austin, and two passengers in the car, 59-year old George Day of Austin and his son 11 year old Mathew Day of Cedar Park.  Mr. Day was a front seat passenger, his son was the left back seat passenger in a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero SUV that crossed the center stripe and struck a 95’ Isuzu Rodeo head-on.  Another back-seat passenger in the Holland vehicle, 78 year old Wanda Holland was transported by STAT-Air to Scott & White Hospital where she was reported in stable condition Monday afternoon.

The Isuzu was driven by 26 year old Jonathan McCleney of Bryan.  He and his passenger, 25 year old Faith Cain of College Station, were both transported by STAT-Air to Scott & White in critical condition.

According to investigating Trooper Michael Nix,  Holland was westbound and McCleney was eastbound on Hwy 79 when Holland crossed the center strip and struck the left front panel of the McCleney vehicle near the white stripe in the eastbound lane.  Nix said there were no power skids from the Holland vehicle, however there were indications that McCleney attempted to avoid the collision.  The reason remains unknown why Holland crossed the center stripe however Nix said driver distraction may have caused Ms. Holland to drift into the oncoming lane.    He said however, he does not believe speed was a cause in the accident. 

Two Scott & White STAT-Air units responded along with Scott & White EMS units, the Milano and Rockdale Fire Departments, the 6C DPS Accident reconstruction team and deputies from the Milam County sheriff’s Department. 

The highway was shut down to one lane of traffic from 7:30 till around 1 p.m.