Michael James Griffin Jr. Killed in Rollover Accident

A one-vehicle rollover in U.S. Highway 79 on Monday killed an Arkansas man and injured two from Alto.

Lance Nolan Elrod, 28, of Alto, was driving west on the highway in a 2003 Dodge 1500 truck along with passengers Michael James Griffin Jr., 22, of Arkansas, and Timmy Lynn Newman, 16, of Alto.

According to Trooper Jean Dark, public information officer with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the accident occurred 1.8 miles east of New Summerfield at 6:50 a.m. Elrod fell asleep at the wheel. He overcorrected causing the truck to roll on the right side of the roadway.

Griffin Jr. was taken to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler and was pronounced dead at 9:42 a.m.

Elrod and passenger Newman were both taken to East Texas Medical Center in Jacksonville. Elrod suffered head trauma and his condition was unknown as of press time. Newman suffered non-incapacitating injuries. As of press time, he was listed in good condition.