Two killed in 2-car crash near dam
San Jacinto News- Times - December 2009

COLDSPRING – Chase Allen Howell, 20, of Corrigan and Lisa Christene Darnell, 19, of Coldspring died at the scene of a two-vehicle accident Saturday, Dec. 12. The accident occurred about 8:38 a.m. on FM 3278 near the Lake Livingston Dam when a Ford Escape, driven by Howell, crossed the center stripe and struck a Jeep head-on that was driven by Vernard Andrew Laltham Jr., 32, of Goodrich, according to preliminary reports from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The investigation is continuing. Wet and rainy weather also may have contributed to the crash. Darnell was a passenger in Howell’s vehicle. Latham sustained critical injuries and was transported to Memorial Medical Center, Livingston, and later transferred to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston where he was listed in critical condition. None of the people involved were wearing seat belts, a DPS offi cial said. Howell and Darnell worked at the IAH Adult Detention Center in Livingston. Howell was a 2007 graduate of Corrigan-Camden High School. He was the son of Faron and Pam Howell of Corrigan and Christy Howell of Moscow. Darnell’s survivors include a baby daughter. She was a recent graduate of Coldspring- Oakhurst High School. Flags fl ew at half-staff at the IAH Adult Detention Center in their memory. An account has been established for Darnell’s child at First National Bank, account number 2448785.