MERKEL — Two members of San Jacinto County’s emergency response community were killed in a two-car collision on July 19 in Merkel.
Charles Murray, 80, and Deborah Murray, 67, died after their vehicle collided with a semi truck driven by Leonide Samon Soto, 49, of Houston.
According to a report from the Department of Public Service, the Murrays were headed west on I-20 in their 2019 Ford F-250 pickup towing a trailer.
The report states that the Ford was attempting to pass the 2012 International that also was traveling westbound. As the Ford moved to return to the outside lane, the trailer struck the semi, causing the Ford to skid sideways, leave the roadway, and overturn.
The report states the Murrays were pronounced dead at the scene. Soto was uninjured.
Both the Murrays and Soto were wearing seatbelts, the report states.
Charles Murray, a Coldspring resident, had served with the Shepherd Volunteer Fire Department beginning in January 2006, and in 2019, became a lifetime member of the department. He served as firefighter, captain, secretary, treasurer, assistant chief and chief. He also was an accredited emergency medical technician.
Deborah Murry served as a member of the SVFD Auxiliary.
On Wednesday, Shepherd Mayor Charles Minton ordered the city flag to be lowered in honor of the Murrays in recognition of their dedication to the community through their service as First Responders and as members of the Shepherd Volunteer Fire Department.
“We acknowledge the profound loss of these outstanding citizens and extend our heartfelt condolences to their family, friends, and all who were touched by their commitment and compassion,” Minton said.
A service will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday, July 30) at Cochran Funeral Home, 406 N. Yaupon Ave., in Livingston. Visitation will be held from noon until service time.
Following the service, a reception will be held at Shepherd Community Center, 10251 Highway 150, in Shepherd.
