Source: TheEagle.com
Source: TheEagle.comMADISONVILLE, TX (KTRE) - -
A Lufkin man struck a Missouri couple after falling asleep at the wheel while traveling through Madisonville Wednesday afternoon, according to police. The couple died at the scene.
Madisonville Police Chief Chuck May said Matthew Halvorson, 19, of Lufkin and a Texas A&M student, was driving eastbound on State Highway 21 when he fell asleep, crossed the center line and struck an 18-wheeler.
The driver of the rig, Randy Harper, of Damond, Missouri, and his girlfriend, Paula Pinkly, of Cassville, Missouri, died on the scene.
May said the airbags were the "saving grace" for Halvorson.
"He's very lucky he wasn't killed himself," May said.
May said Halvorson was taken by helicopter to a Bryan hospital, where he is in stable condition.
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