Bay City Tribune

A Bay City man was killed in a Wharton County traffic accident at 8:38 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Charles Kenneth Perry, Sr., 60, of Bay City, was traveling southbound on state highway 71 about one-tenth-of-a-mile north of New Taiton in a 1987 Toyota Forerunner pickup when the accident occurred.

Mandi Balderas, 19, of Columbus, was traveling northbound in her 2005 Ford Escape when her vehicle veered into the southbound lane striking Perrys truck despite his evasive action to the right, according to Department of Public Safety accident report.

Perry was pronounced dead by Judge Jeanette Kreneck, Wharton County Justice of the Peace pct. 1, and taken to Triska's Funeral Home in El Campo.

Balderas was transported to Memorial Herman Hospital in Houston and is in stable condition with a broken leg and possible neck injuries.

According to the accident report, Perry was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision and Balderas was not.

Trooper Alfred Ochoa was the investigating officer.