Victoria man dies after fatal vehicle accident on Texas Highway 185

By: Bria Woods

Posted: Sep 06, 2019 11:58 AM CDT, Updated: Sep 06, 2019 05:26 PM CDT

CALHOUN COUNTY, Texas - Texas DPS, Calhoun County deputies and Calhoun County Fire and EMS responded to a call regarding a two-vehicle accident in Calhoun County at 5:24 a.m.

Michael Kelly Burke, Jr., 35 years old, of Victoria was driving a Chevy Cavalier exiting Calhoun Chemical, LLC preparing to get on Texas highway 185, according to DPS Sgt. San Miguel.

Meanwhile, Rigoberto Genaro Villarreal, 32 years old from Victoria, was driving a GMC Sierra pick-up truck down Texas highway 185 when Burke failed to yield to him resulting in a fatal collision.

DPS Sgt. San Miguel stated Mr. Villarreal's pick-up truck hit the driver side door of Mr. Burke's vehicle.

Justice of the Peace Wesley Hunt pronounced 35-year-old Michael Kelly Burke, Jr. dead at the scene at 5:26 a.m.

Chief Deputy Johnny Krause with Calhoun County Sheriff's Office stated that the two men are neighbors who live in the same street in Victoria.

Chief Deputy Krause explained that the entrance to the chemical plant is near an s-curve on the road that is very hard to see around. He said there have been other accidents there as it is such a dangerous curve that makes it hard to see oncoming vehicles.

Sgt. San Miguel confirmed the driver of the pick-up truck, Rigoberto Genaro Villarreal was taken to DeTar Navarro, but then was flown to San Antonio Medical Center in serious condition.