Rollover crash in Hardin County kills driver, injures three others

The truck went off the road into the ditch. When the driver tried to get the truck back onto the road, he lost control of the truck, which rolled onto its side.

Author: Eleanor Skelton; Published: 1:40 PM CDT October 20, 2019, Updated: 1:41 PM CDT October 20, 2019

ARDIN COUNTY, Texas — A rollover accident in Hardin County killed the driver and injured three passengers late Saturday night. 

The accident happened on FM 420 in Hardin County about 10 miles north of Kountze about 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Stephanie Davis said in a news release. 

A 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck was going westbound on FM 420 when driver went off the road and into the south ditch for unknown reasons, according to Texas DPS's preliminary crash investigation. 

The driver tried to get back into the roadway, but lost control of the vehicle, Davis said. Then the truck rolled over onto its side before stopping. 

The driver, 55-year-old Charles Edward Groze Jr. of Kountze, was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Chris Ingram at the scene, Davis said. 

Two of the passengers, 21-year-old Quinton Ruso of Buna and 19-year-old Caleb Jay of Silsbee, were both taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth hospital. Their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. 

The third passenger, 18-year-old Dylan Leviness of Silsbee, was treated at the scene and released.

Troopers are still working to determine the exact factors that led to the fatal accident.