Accident claims one life

A Caldwell man is dead after a crash outside of Milano on Feb. 27. According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Dave Roberts, 77-year-old Louis Smith was killed in a two-vehicle crash involving an 18-wheeler. The wreck happened about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday on state Highway 36, about 3.5 miles south of Milano. Roberts said Smith was driving a 2006 Dodge pickup truck southbound when it slowed, moved to the right onto the improved shoulder, and then attempted a left turn in front of an approaching 2002 Kenworth 18-wheeler. The big rig struck the Dodge on the driver side. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the pickup, 46-year-old Louis Smith Jr., of Caldwell was taken to a Bryan hospital for treatment of incapacitating injuries. The driver of the semi, 26-year-old Carlos Gonzalez of Florida, was not hurt. The highway was completely shut down for several hours while crews worked the scene. This marks the second fatality crash in Milam County this year.