Two Karnes City men survived a massive wreck that totaled two vehicles and threw automobile parts and hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel over State Highway 80 a few miles north of Karnes City January 13.

After the collision that happened about 2 p.m., the mess took hours to clean up and State Highway 80 was closed as late as 7 p.m.

Robert Leal was treated at the scene for an arm injury and lacerations to his face. Elmer Holm was taken to Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries where he was soon after transported by helicopter to San Antonio.

Leal’s 18-wheeler tanker truck crashed into Holm’s pickup truck while Holm was trying to turn across State Highway 80.

"He (Leal) said he saw Mr. Holm pull over to the right shoulder of the roadway. He thought he had cattle there because there were cattle on the right-hand side. (Holm) started to make a left turn. At that point in time, Mr. Leal said he honked his horn, didn’t get any response, and by then it was too late," Texas DPS Trooper Alfred Alejos said.

Leal swerved trying to miss Holm, but ended up striking the front end of Holm’s vehicle.

"When it hit (Holm), it kind of spun him around and then the right rear tire on the tractor trailer itself hit his back end, which shot Mr. Holm up against a fence," Alejos said.

As a result of the impact, Leal’s 18-wheeler overturned and skidded, opening up a hole in its cargo tank, spilling diesel fuel out onto the highway.

"He was carrying diesel. Had that been gasoline … it would’ve been a bad deal," Alejos said.

Rescue crews soon arrived to extricate Holm. Leal had been able to walk away from his wrecked 18-wheeler. So far no citations have been issued in the case. Alejos noted Holm’s seatbelt saved his life.