Motorcycle fatality reported Wednesday night

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

A motorcyclist, Daniel Eletes, 19, of Marble Falls died on the scene of an accident that occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday night, Feb. 15, east of Marble Falls on Ranch to Market Road 1431 near Faith Academy.

Department of Public Safety Sgt. Robbie Barrera confirmed the identity of the victim late Thursday and shared brief details filed by by troopers from the scene.

“A 2006 Suzuki MC, driven by Elites, was traveling eastbound on RM 1431 when the accident occurred,” she reported. “A 2008 Toyota Tundra, driven by Lorri Phelps Buckner, 47, was attempting to turn westbound on RM 1431.

Barrera said Buckner stated that she saw headlights at the top of the hill but thought she had time to successfully complete the turn.

“As the Toyota Tundra began her turn, the 2006 Suzuki collided with her in the left front quarter,” said the DPS report. “The driver was thrown off the motorcycle and the motorcycle caught on fire and was destroyed.

“Multiple witnesses state they were passed by a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed and weaving in between cars.”

The crash is still under investigation to to determine the exact speed of the motorcycle and if any other factors may have contributed to the crash.

The Burnet County Sheriff's Office said the first 9-1-1 call came in at 7:55 p.m., when BCSO officers, the Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Services and Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched. Attempts to resuscitate Eletes at the scene were unsuccessful.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Edgar and Jenkins Funeral Home in Burnet.