Simonton man killed in U.S. 59 accident
Police say 75-year-old man failed to yield right of way to oncoming motorist
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

Photo contributed by Elmer Cavender Wharton firfi.ghters quickly extinguish a pickup that caught on fire following a twovehicle accident on U.S. 59. The driver later died on the way to a Houston hospital.

Police are uncertain why a Simonton man pulled out in front of another vehicle on U.S. 59 this past weekend, causing a crash that claimed his life.

Though intermittent thunderstorms plagued the area Saturday, accident investigators said it's unclear what part - if any - the rain played in hindering the sight of Paul George Sabrsula as he crossed the median at CR 231, near Hinze's.

"It's still under investigation," said Detective Ben Evans of the Wharton Police Department.

The accident report lists rainy weather conditions and a wet roadway at the time of the accident, just before 4:30 p.m. Saturday. It adds Sabrsula, a Simonton resident, "failed to yield right of way" at a yield sign installed at the median.

According to the report, Sabrsula, 75, was in the crossover at U.S. 59 and CR 231 (Halford Road) and pulled out in front of a northbound Ford box van driven by Matthew Mark Popp, 28, of Conroe.

Sabrsula's 2003 Chevrolet pickup "was broadsided" by the van. The pickup caught on fire.

Witnesses said Sabrsula was pulled from his burning pickup by a pair of volunteer firfi.ghters from Fulshear, who happened to be passing through at that time.

Wharton paramedics attended Sabrsula at the scene, then transported him toward Houston via ambulance. The ambulance diverted instead to Oakbend Medical Center in Richmond after the 75-year-old went into cardiac arrest, Evans said.

Sabrsula was pronounced dead at Oakbend at 6:14 p.m. Saturday. Both Sabrsula and Popp were wearing their seat belts, officials said.