Cayuga man dies in weekend wreck on US 79

A Cayuga man died in a wreck this weekend when his vehicle left U.S. Hwy. 79 near New Summerfield and hit a tree, according to police officials.

Francisco Javier O'Campo Aviles, 19, was traveling late Saturday in a 2002 Infinity sedan when the wreck occurred, said Sgt. Patrick Dark of Texas Department of Public Safety.

“He left a friend's house in Carthage about 11 p.m. headed to Palestine, and he never made it," Dark said. "His family was out looking for him, and we received a call at 12:25 p.m. Sunday to respond (to a wreck scene) on U.S. 79, 1.5 miles east of New Summerfield.”

Dark said it appears Aviles was westbound on Hwy. 79, when his vehicle crossed the center line and left the road. It then struck a tree on the driver's side, and came to rest facing north, Dark said.

Vera Foreman, Cherokee County Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace, pronounced Aviles dead at the scene just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

“We don't know for sure, but we think he probably fell asleep because his tracks went right off the road with no skid (marks),” Dark said.

Dark explained that if the vehicle's brakes had been applied, skid marks would have likely been visible on the road.

Aviles was a recent graduate of Cayuga High School.

“(Principal Russell Holden) held an assembly with the students this morning,” Rick Webb, Cayuga superintendent said. “We have area pastors here to help our children through this grieving process.”

Aviles was also an employee of El Toro restaurant in Palestine.

The Palestine Herald Press contributed to this story.