Belton man dies in fiery vehicle crash

A 39-year-old Belton funeral home employee died Monday after his pickup truck crashed into a tree about 4 miles east of Llano, setting his vehicle on fire.

Melvin Gene Smith Jr., was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:59 a.m. by Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 Linda Ballard of Llano, according to Kerr County Department of Public Safety police communications operator Michael Perkins.

Perkins said Smith had been driving a 2005 Chevrolet pickup west on Texas 29 when his car traveled into a ditch, then reentered the roadway and crossed two lanes of traffic before it hit a tree on the south side of the highway and the vehicle caught fire.

Officials do not know if he was wearing a seatbelt, Perkins said.

By Joshunda Sanders
www.austin360.com