Taylor reports its first traffic fatality of 2024

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Taylor said it had its first fatal collision of 2024 on Wednesday.

Taylor police officers responded to reports of a reckless driver off South Main Street at approximately 2:30 p.m.

According to the city, the driver, later identified as 71-year-old James Russell Grenwelge, was traveling north into oncoming southbound traffic.

Officers attempted to make a traffic stop but were unsuccessful. The city said the vehicle then hit a tractor-trailer in a “head-on style collision.”

The city said Grenwelge was pinned inside the vehicle and unresponsive. Life-saving measures were performed, but Grenwelge was pronounced dead on the scene. The city said his autopsy was pending.

According to officials, the road was closed for more than 3 hours due to the collision.

Officials said the incident remained under investigation by the Taylor Police Department. The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes.