From staff reports
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A woman was killed last week near Martindale after a driver tried to run off wild hogs.
Darlene Roberts Smith, 64, was pronounced dead at the scene March 12.
Caldwell County Sheriff’s office sergeant Paul Cowan said the driver of a 2001 silver colored Ford F-150 XT Cab pickup saw a group of wild hogs run out in front of the truck on private property near the 4100 block of SE River Road. Instead of slowing down, he accelerated to try to run over the hogs and the truck flipped.
Cowan said Smith was trapped under the vehicle when emergency responders arrived.
Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Judge Llanas ordered an autopsy. Smith was transported from the scene by Pennington Funeral Home.
The driver and a male passenger initially refused medical treatment, but one of them was taken by Star Flight to University Medical Center at Brackenridge in Austin after he lost consciousness.
Officials said the accident could have been prevented if the driver hadn't pursued the hogs.
“This time of year, it’s spring and they’re (hogs) looking for a mate,” said Caldwell County Extension Assistant Chancey Lewis.
He said hogs are more prevalent right now, especially in rural areas.
“Drivers need to be aware that they travel at night and they’re dark colored and they have very little eye shine, so they’re hard to see,” Lewis said.
He said feral hogs are likely to wander in to farmers’ fields to eat corn and other crops, which was likely the case last Friday.
When approaching a wild hog either in a vehicle or on foot, use caution and it will likely run away, said Lewis.
“In urban areas they’ve lost their herd so you can shout or holler, clap your hands, make yourself appear larger and they’ll run away,” he said.
Like most wild animals, hogs will try to defend themselves if cornered.
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s department continues to investigate the accident.
