The Texas Department of Public Safety said the Mayor of Tuscola, Texas and the mayor’s wife lost their lives in traffic accident. DPS released details on Friday concerning the incident on Thursday afternoon.
DPS said mayor Robert Vance Elkins, 82, and Vondean Rose Elkins, 80, both of Tuscola were going southbound in an SUV along U.S. Highway 83 north of Tuscola. DPS said Brandon Michael McFall, 31, of Andover, Ohio was going northbound in a pickup truck.
The truck hydroplaned, DPS said, because of rain water on the roadway and drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic. The truck also hit another vehicle after striking the SUV.
The mayor and his wife were pronounced dead at the scene, according to DPS. McFall was treated and released at the scene. His passenger, Amber Thompson, 40, of Andover, was taken to Hendrick Medical Center with a non-incapacitating injury.
The driver of the third vehicle was treated and released.
Tuscola is south of Abilene in Taylor County.
The City of Tuscola released the following statement regarding the death of the Elkins:
The City of Tuscola is grieving the loss of Mayor Robert Elkins and his wife Von Dean Elkins which were both tragically killed in an auto accident just North of Tuscola on Hwy 83 this afternoon. Robert and Von Dean were both loved and respected citizens of the City of Tuscola for over 54 years. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Elkins family. The community, council and employees will miss them greatly; we appreciate your patience during this time of loss.
(Bigcountryhomepage.com contributed to this report.)
