Mexia Daily News - Dec. 17, 2004 edition

Mexia man dies in 2-vehicle Freestone wreck

By BOB WRIGHT-Editor
Vernon Dale Erdman, 67, of Mexia, was pronounced dead at the scene of a
two-vehicle collision on Highway 84, just west of Fairfield, Wednesday morning.

Mr. Erdman, who formerly worked as an electrician in Mexia, was the lone
occupant of a 1995 Ford Ranger, traveling eastward when the wreck occurred.
Marilyn Brownell, 40, of Louisiana, was enroute to visit a Teague resident and
was the lone occupant of a 1995 Lincoln Navigator, traveling westward.

Freestone County Department of Public Safety Trooper Sara DeVries, who
investigated, told The Daily News that Brownell was attempting to negotiate a
curve near the Boyd Prison Unit entrance when she veered over the center
stripe, swiping the Erdman vehicle from front to rear, peeling away much of the
victim's vehicle on the driver's side.

DeVries said after impact, the Brownell vehicle got back into the westbound
lane of traffic and came to rest on the roadway.

The accident occurred approximately 1.8 miles west of Fairfield. Freestone
County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Beth Ireland pronounced Mr. Erdman dead
at the scene.

Trooper DeVries said the investigation is "ongoing."

Funeral arrangements for the Mexia man are being made at Capps Memorial Chapel
in Fairfield.