Madison County Sheriff's Office says that two people are dead after an accident on Highway 21, near North Zulch. The highway is shut down and will be reopened at noon. Traffic is being detoured to FM 39.
Authorities say 19-year-old James Turner, of Madisonville, was driving his Dodge Charger when he crossed over the center line and hit 53-year-old Paula Gale Colwell, also from Madisonville.
Colwell was pronounced dead at the scene. A medical helicopter was dispatched to the scene for Turner, but he did not survive. Both were pronounced dead by Madisonville Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2.
DPS says they were able to rule out cellphone distraction as a cause. Turner's cellphone was found inside his pocket. Investigators are still working on the exact cause of the crash.
The husband of Paula Colwell spoke with us by phone Thursday night and said his wife was on his way to a doctor's appointment in Bryan when the crash happened.
