Head-on accident
Big Thicket Messenger - February 2007

Traffic was delayed on State Highway 146 just south of Dayton, for over four hours on Wednesday, February 7, as the result of a head-on collision that took the lives of two area women.

According to police reports Anita Sylvia Thomas, 62, of Baytown was driving south on Highway 146 in a four-door Honda sedan when the vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic, crashing head-on into a Waste Management dumpster hauler, driven by Carlos Salazar, who was headed north. Thomas and her mother, Josefa ‘Joyce’ Munoz Amaya, 81, of Hull, were both ejected from the car.

The tragic accident occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. and delayed traffic until 2:30 p.m. as investigators and emergency personnel investigated the scene. Traffic was re-routed down FM 1413.

Investigators believe that Thomas crossed into the northbound lane as the result of a blowout or flat tire.

Justice of the Peace Glenn Pruitt pronounced both women dead at the scene at 2:30 p.m.

Funeral services for both Amaya and Thomas were conducted on Saturday, February 10, 2007 at New Life Assembly of God Church in Batson with Rev. Bill Campbell officiating. Interment was in Resthaven Cemetery in Kingsville on Monday, February 12.