“Too many people lose their lives”

BRAZOS VALLEY, Texas (KBTX) – A multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 6 and FM 2549 left one woman dead and three others taken to a nearby hospital with injuries.

DPS investigators said a truck pulling a trailer collided with a sedan while turning onto the highway. The sedan struck a hatchback, spun out of control, and struck a semi-truck head-on.

The driver of the sedan who died in the crash was identified as Diana Burleson, 66, of Franklin. Two other drivers and a 10-year-old were hospitalized with minor injuries.

Longtime Bryan resident Sandra Dean told KBTX that accidents like this happen far too often. Sandra has lived near Highway 6 and the OSR for 29 years, and over time she has noticed more and more accidents.

“Something has to be done,” Dean insisted. “Too many people are losing their lives, too many.”

Dean believed that in this accident, a 70 mph speed limit and drivers distracted by their phones are the cause of the accidents. She suggests reducing the speed limit, increasing striping and installing barriers on the highway to create a safer thoroughfare.

“Concrete walls separating the two directions of traffic is what they should really consider here. It's bad. People drive in front of you and cut you off,” Dean said. “I've almost been hit several times myself.”

Bill Ruland, Chief Deputy of the Robertson County Sheriff's Office (RCSO), said speeding is one of the most common causes of these accidents.

“My main request is for everyone to slow down. Stop changing lanes so often,” Deputy Ruland urged. “You will make it, even if there is slower traffic ahead of you. It is very important in this area that you be alert while driving and slow down.”

In addition, Rep. Ruland said that this stretch of highway is difficult to monitor.

“It's very narrow compared to the rest of Highway 6. South of OSR or even north of Hearne, it's very narrow. It's not a divided lane, which is very dangerous,” warned Deputy Ruland. “There's no retaining wall in the middle or anything to keep vehicles from going into oncoming traffic.”

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there have been nearly 350 traffic accidents on Highway 6 between Bryan and Hearne in the last five years. Thirteen of these accidents occurred along Highway 6 and FM 2549. 11 people were killed in these accidents.

TxDOT is currently conducting a study of South Highway 6 in Robertson and Brazos counties to improve safety and mobility along the corridor. Part of the study specifically addresses safety concerns at the intersection of Highway 6 and FM 2549.

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