Lampasas County resident Aline Morgan was killed Monday afternoon when the 2002 Toyota Corolla she was driving was involved in a two-car collision near her property south of Evant on U.S. Highway 281. Troopers used red spray paint to mark the area where the vehicle came to rest before they began their investigation of the accident. PHOTO BY DAVID LOWE A Lampasas County woman was killed Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident near her property south of Evant.

Aline Morgan, driving a 2002 Toyota Corolla, left her driveway about 1:20 p.m. to check her mailbox on the southbound shoulder of U.S. Highway 281, according to a report prepared by Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Monte Carroll.

After checking the mail, Ms. Morgan drove north “a short way” on the shoulder, Carroll said, before attempting a U-turn to get back onto her driveway via the southbound shoulder.

At the same time, a 2008 Chrysler Sebring, driven by Donald Spencer of Winchester, Ky., was proceeding south on U.S. 281. The driver braked and tried to avoid Ms. Morgan’s vehicle by steering to the right, but the left front side of the Chrysler hit the right rear door of the Toyota, Carroll said.

As a result of the collision, the right front side of the Toyota wrapped around and hit the right front quarter of the Chrysler, Carroll said.

The Chrysler stopped on the southbound shoulder facing south, and the Toyota then traveled across a southbound bar ditch and came to rest against a fence on the west side of the highway.

Ms. Morgan was not wearing a seat belt, Carroll said, and the trooper said she was thrown to the passenger side of her vehicle during the collision.

The Adamsville Volunteer Fire Department and Capital Ambulance responded to the accident scene. Although firefighters extricated Ms. Morgan from the Toyota using the Jaws of Life, Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Sheila Hood pronounced the Lampasas County woman dead at the scene.

Capital Ambulance transported Spencer to Rollins Brook Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, Carroll said.

“I think he’s more shook up than anything,” the trooper said, “but he felt the need to go in and get checked out.”

Spencer’s passenger — his wife, Darlene — accompanied her husband to the hospital. She did not sustain any injuries. Both Spencer and his wife were wearing seat belts when the accident occurred, Carroll said.

Spencer appeared to have been following the 70 mile-per-hour speed limit when the accident occurred, Carroll said.

Carroll was assisted in his investigation by DPS Trooper Ronald Slay of Coryell County and by DPS Sgt. Stephen Fox Bynum.

The Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office and the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the incident.