Deadly week on Milam County roads

Two people are dead following an accident on FM 485 on Sunday, March 31. According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant John Roberts, on Sunday at approximately 8:06 a.m. a two-vehicle crash occurred on FM 485 approximately 11 miles west of Hearne. DPS troopers responded to the scene. A 2005 Mazda passenger car was traveling west. A 2018 Nissan SUV was traveling east. The Mazda crossed over the center stripe into the path of the Nissan. Both vehicles collided head-on. The driver of the Mazda was Nathan Ellard, 20, of College Station. Ellard was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Nissan was Crystal Ranslem, 32, of Temple. Ranslem was transported to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center where she later died. The deadly week on Milam County roadways continued Monday. Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department, Milam County Sheriff’s deputies, DPS troopers, and EMS crews responded just after 5 p.m. on Monday, April 1, to a singlevehicle rollover crash on CR322, just five miles east of Rockdale. According to Roberts, a female driver was pronounced dead at the scene. There was no one else in the vehicle at the time. A medical helicopter had originally been summoned to the scene but was canceled in route. This crash is the sixth fatal wreck of the year and marks eight deaths on Milam County roads in 2019. Texas DPS wants to remind motorists that distracted, fatigued and impaired driving are some of the leading factors in major crashes.