Van strikes bridge, killing driver
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

The cause of a one vehicle accident which claimed one life on Saturday remains a mystery with no witnesses. This van struck a bridge pillar on Hwy. 31 Saturday morning.

One man was killed in a single car accident here Saturday morning.

At about 8:30 a.m. a Dodge van driven by Robert Karl Salazarone was eastbound on Hwy. 31 when he crossed into the westbound lane and struck a bridge pillar at the Hwy. 135 overpass. Salazar, 41, was from Elmendorf, a small town southeast of San Antonio.

The accident was investigasted by Officer John Rowe of Kilgore Police Department.

Rowe said there were no witnesses to the accident and no signs of braking prior to the impact. "Salazar was coming from the San Antonio area, headed for Longview where he worked for a company called Replay Maintenance."

Rowe said Justice of the Peace Talyna Carlson pronounced Salazar dead at 9 a.m. and the body was taken to Radar Funeral Home. "Carlson ordered a blood toxicology to be done and Radar transported the body to Good Shepherd for the test," said Rowe.

Rowe said Salazar's next of kin had been notified.

Sgt. David Tucker, Kilgore Police Department, Kilgore Fire Department, Kilgore Rescue and Champion Ambulance were all on the scene, according to Rowe.