Head-On Collision Results In One Fatality
FROM THE DOPPLER 10 FORECAST CENTER… A HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES UNTIL 7 PM FRIDAY… McLENNAN, WILLIAMSON, AND SAN SABA…AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES TODAY AND FRIDAY WILL RISE TO BETWEEN 105 AND 110 DEGREES...WHILE OVERNIGHT LOWS TONIGHT WILL STRUGGLE TO FALL BELOW 80 DEGREES…PERSONS INVOLVED IN VIGOROUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE URGED TO TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER…
Head-On Collision Results In One Fatality Save Email Print
25 comments Photos

A | A | A

(January 09, 2009)—Heavy traffic on the two lane highway to China Spring is being identified as a factor in a wreck Thursday that left one man dead.

Waco police say the driver of a 2003 Cadillac lost control of his car when he fell asleep at the wheel and collided with a Ford Taurus driven by 78-year-old James Foley.

Foley later died of injuries from the accident that occurred just before 7:00 a.m. Thursday.

China Spring Highway (FM 1637) was shut down until the accident was cleared, backing up traffic for several miles right at the peak of morning rush hour.

Residents who work and live along China Spring Highway say accidents have become a common occurrence on the severely congested highway.

The Texas Department of Transportation has announced an expansion of the one-lane road; construction however is not slated to begin until 2012.

Thursday’s Accident

A heavily traveled Farm-To-Market road was closed as rescue crews cleared the scene of a major accident that sent two drivers to the hospital during Thursday morning’s commute.

The head-on collision occurred just before 7:00 a.m. in the 1100 block of China Spring Highway just north of the Waco Municipal Airport.

Traffic headed south was backed up over a mile as Waco Police Officers diverted both north and south bound lanes into the ditches around the accident.

Both vehicles involved in the accident were mid-sized sedans.

Crews with Waco Fire Department were called to extricate one of the drivers from his vehicle.

Both drivers were taken to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center by ETMC ambulance.

There were no other passengers in either vehicle.

Rescue crews were in the process of clearing the wreckage by 8:00 a.m.
(Photo by: Micah Williams)
Click Pictures to Enlarge
More Stories
Drug Testing Ordered For Mother Of Murdered Mexia Boy

5-Year-Old Shooting Victim Identified

Manhunt Underway After Violent Central Texas Assault

Swine Flu Claims Life Of Temple Woman

 Texas Man Charged With Capital Murder In Infant Daughter’s Disappearance

One-Car Accident Claims Life Of 35-Year-Old Central Texas Man

Teenage Texas Counselor Hacks Opossum To Death

Five Die Thursday When Train Hits Car
Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: eric loreille Location: china spring on Feb 28, 2009 at 12:30 AM
I would like to say that i am very sorry to the foley family , and every one else that was involved...it was a tragic event and one i will have to live with for the rest of my life.. i would like to let everyone know that if it wasnt for the person who put the fire out i would not be alive today ...i thank you and my daughter thanks you ... you are a true hero
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Temple on Jan 12, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Clearly there's a problem with that road in China Spring. But this could have happened on I35 too. A man fell asleep at the wheel and the accident resulted in another man losing his life. That could happen on almost any road, even when there are concrete barriers in between. Just wanted to point that out so people will remember to DRIVE CAREFULLY no matter what road they are on. Also, be careful what you wish for. There's a TON of construction going on in Temple and I have YET to see how it's benefitting us. The traffic at the lights is STILL JUST AS BAD. I hope they get the problem fixed though in CS before someone else dies. Prayers to the families of all involved.
Posted by: me1 Location: Waco on Jan 12, 2009 at 03:31 AM
my prayers go out to the family. Im tired of you people getting on her making fun of people that cant spell good why dont you shut up!!!!A family is hurting here..
Posted by: AMUSED Location: Waco on Jan 11, 2009 at 12:23 AM
I agree with AMAZED. You said it well! Really stupid people like China Springer need to just shut-up and NEVER try to write comments on a public site. These comment sections just never cease to amaze me as to how really ignorant and stupid people are in Central Texas. Too bad new schools will not fix the problem for future generations.
Posted by: wondering on Jan 10, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Why does the KWTX comments section sound more like a chat room from AOL than a comment posting on the story at hand? THAT is what amazes me!!!!!
Posted by: Amazed Location: Waco on Jan 10, 2009 at 05:32 PM
China Springer: What do you EXCEPT? Did you spend ANY waking moments in English class? Learn the difference between "to" & "too", "your" & "you're", and "there" and "their". Oh yeah, and try using that little thing called an apostrophe when using the words "that's" and "what's". (Click here to learn what an apostrophe is: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=apostrophe). I'm sorry, but when you proclaimed to tell us "what's wrong with the world today" while using the grammar and sentence composition of an elementary school student, any impact you may have hoped for was lost. Although I doubt the world will run out of land, I have no doubt that you should enroll in an English class when "that new school opens in 2010". Those student desks will probably be a little small for you, but then what do you EXCEPT? ;-)
Posted by: Someone Location: Near-Here on Jan 10, 2009 at 01:34 PM
I as most other people, (out this way), moved out of Town 20 years ago, to get away from all the Traffic and all the people. But, I didn't move far enough or buy enough property!!! Now we have all of these people driving way too fast, do not pay attention to their driving, and talk on cell-phones!! With this large amount of inconsiderate people, we are going to have more accidents and more deaths on 1637, Hwy.6, and all the other roads around here!!! Cars do not kill people any more than guns kill people!! It is People that kill People!!!!! And this will not stop until people understand this and act responsibly. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE, SLOW DOWN, BUCKLE-UP, AND STAY OFF OF THE CELL-PHONES!!! YOU OR I MAY BE NEXT!!!!!!!! Pray for the man that lost his life.
Posted by: Bosqueville on Jan 9, 2009 at 08:16 PM
Some of you idiots should try using spell check. Duh
Posted by: China Springer Location: Hometown on Jan 9, 2009 at 03:54 PM
What do people except? Not much longer and we will be a smaller version of Dallas. I have lived in China Spring for almost 26 years and loved the small town, but when people start moving in and want food places here,hair places there,and bigger schools here!!! WHAT DO YOU EXCEPT? This world will eventally run out of land and your not going to get your 4 or 5 lanes, you will have to wait 10 minutes to get on the road!!!! Thats whats wrong with the world today, to much want! So when that new school opens in 2010, be ready because you cant widen the road!! And I can tell you now, that most of the folks who have lived in China Spring for years,who live on the China Spring Hwy, are not going to sell there houses, just so the road can be widen,b/c no matter how many lanes you need, you will always need more! Just remember when China Spring is to grown for everyone, and you leave for the next smallest town.....All theses people and businesses are right behind you!!!
Posted by: J Location: Waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 01:24 PM
To Anonymous: You commented that the 26 year old who fell asleep will be fine... of course. Would you prefer that he died too? The death of the older gentleman was tragic and no doubt the fault of the 26 year old. Would it have been less tragic if both died? As it is, he will have to live with the guilt. I happen to know this young man and he is a good person who was coming home from working a night shift. He made a terrible mistake, one that I am sure he will always regret.
Posted by: Susan on Jan 9, 2009 at 09:53 AM
Dear anonymous! Your comment about the other driver was very rude! I'm glad he will be ok. It was an accident that shouldn't of happened but you do not know the circumstances to why he fell asleep. I have lost a good friend in the same kind of accident and putting blame on the other person does not make anyone feel better. So please, don't go negative or ugly against the driver. I hope he gets well and everyone learns something from this whole experience. Stay alert! Stay safe!
Posted by: Joe Location: CS on Jan 9, 2009 at 09:31 AM
You think it is bad now? Wait until the new elementary school opens in 2010.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 9, 2009 at 02:20 AM
I saw another updated news clip on another channel that said the 78 year old man driving the ford actually ended up dying...the 26 year old in the cadillac who feel asleep will be fine of course!
Posted by: Steve Location: Waco on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:22 PM
I agree with CSworker. It sometimes takes me 10 minutes to enter the hwy from a side street in the mornings. Widen the road, lower the speed limit, put up more traffic signals, DO SOMETHING! TXDOT and the city have no problem putting up traffic signals everywhere else! Defensive driving is put to the test every day as me and my family travel CS Hwy!
Posted by: Resident Location: China Spring on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:05 PM
The roads definately need more lanes, I drive this road every morning and afternoon and it is almost impossible; too much traffic, too many speeders and people just don't pay attention. There are intirely too many accidents on this road, something needs to be done about it soon!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bosqueville on Jan 8, 2009 at 09:08 PM
I wrote our commissioner before the light went up at Flat Rock, I asked that in additon to a light the speed limit be dropped beginning at Steinbeck Bend light and not going back up until after the China Spring Elementary School. Passing on the shoulder should be illegal on that stretch as well, way too dangerous on that road.
Posted by: Tim Location: Brown on Jan 8, 2009 at 07:49 PM
We have spoken to the city council many times to put up traffic signs and they pretend to not even acknowledge this. Claiming they have no idea where the location of this road is at. I, was in a car wreck on that very same road last summer. I'm surprised I survived. That man, in the white car, was my neighbor, we just received the phone call that he has passed away at around 745pm today.
Posted by: State Worker Location: China Spring on Jan 8, 2009 at 05:14 PM
When I moved to China Spring in 1976 I was told that the County had a bridge in the works that would go across the Brazos River at Gholson that would give access to my job downtown. Thirty-two years later I am still driving in to Waco every day on the same two lane highway that is the only way to get to town. When they put the light in at Flat Rock Road it took the City of Waco forever to adjust it properly so that the traffic isn't backed up completely past the Wortham Bend light in the mornings. In light of the population growth in recent years, you would think that the city and/or the county would respond more quickly to do something about this traffic situation. A very dear friend was killed several years ago at almost the exact spot where this accident occurred this morning. I am thankful that no one was killed this morning.
Posted by: People First Location: Waco on Jan 8, 2009 at 04:46 PM
China Spring is growing/and will contiune to grow. There will also be something that we are in dire need if. So live with it and drive slow. Of course there are always stupid people out there and they will not listen until they hurt themselves or someone else. But Im not ready to give up my house for 4 or 5 lanes. And you cant get any wider with all the business going up!!
Posted by: CSworker Location: CS on Jan 8, 2009 at 03:48 PM
We are in dire need of a 4 or 5 lane road. It is very difficult to enter the highway from a sidestreet most any time of the day and it will only get worse as the population in CS grows. City, TX Dot, where are you? It will takesome serious inquires by a LOT of Cs people to get this situation changed. Until that happens, slow down and drive carefully.
Posted by: kim Location: cs on Jan 8, 2009 at 01:33 PM
i drive this road often. ppl do not stop at the stop signs...one guy pulled out in front of me and it took only 7 seconds for me to pass him..he was driving on the shoulder. he could not wait 7 seconds for me to go by. there was not a car behind me. ppl just dont think anymore...i am someone's wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and cousin. 7 seconds could have destroyed multiple ppls lives.
Posted by: Bobby Location: Waco on Jan 8, 2009 at 01:20 PM
until the city/state lowers the speed limit people will continue to be hurt and/or killed
Posted by: alexander Location: moody on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:45 PM
why are there so many wrecks on this road.slow down,stay off cell phones. my grandchildren,children,brother,daughter-in-law,nephew,sister-in-law are on this road.be careful.
Posted by: Someone Location: Near-Here on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Glad there was no one seriously hurt!! Were they both on their cell-phones???
Posted by: Stephanie on Jan 8, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Driving on China Spring HWY in the morning is AWFUL since the Stop Light has been there! People are upset and impatient so they drive on the shoulder and almost cause wrecks too! The Light is a PROBLEM!
Most Texas Prison Inmates Face The Summer Without AC
111 Comments
Waco FBI Agent Sentenced In Dog Shooting
62 Comments
Sentencing For FBI Agent Convicted In Animal Cruelty Case Recheduled For Wednesday
40 Comments
Ex-Principal Avoids Prison Time In Graphic Text Message Case
36 Comments
Pregnant Woman, Unborn Child Die In Highway Collision
36 Comments
Teen Killed, Three Others Injured When Car Slams Into Trees
36 Comments
KWTX.com Features
Double Dollar Deals
Half Price Deals at Central Texas restaurants and businesses. A new deal every Thursday at 7:00am.
Boss of the Month
Who is Central Texas’ best boss? Nominate your supervisor for Boss of the Month!
Golden Apple
Your chance to nominate an outstanding teacher. Find out how they are making a difference in classrooms.
Emily Wants to Know
Emily Matthews' inquisitive look at life in Central Texas.
10 On Your Side
Answers from our experts on topics that affect YOU.
Job of the Week
Click now to see hundreds of other jobs on Job Board TV!


Full-Time Physical Therapist - Join Metroplex Health System in Killeen as a Full-Time Physical Therapist in our Pediatric Rehabilitation Department. Metroplex offers a very competitive hourly wage and benefits plan. Join Metroplex in “Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ”.

Also, take a look at the most recent jobs posted to Job Board TV at KWTX.com: View More Jobs.