Robert Martin Obituary, Death – A fatal crash early Sunday morning in Salado has claimed the life of a 24-year-old Dallas man, now identified as Robert Martin. The Bell County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call reporting the incident around 3:25 a.m. The crash occurred on Interstate 35 at the Farm to Market 2484 overpass and involved a commercial delivery truck and two passenger vehicles.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Martin was driving a 2020 Toyota RAV northbound on I-35 when his vehicle struck a deer. The impact caused the Toyota to become disabled and stop in the middle lane. Moments later, a 2025 delivery truck traveling in the same direction came upon the stalled vehicle and was unable to avoid a collision. The truck struck the rear of the Toyota, which then became airborne, flipping over the concrete median and into the oncoming southbound lanes.
While airborne, Martin’s Toyota crossed into the southbound traffic where it was hit again by a 2015 GMC SUV. Tragically, Martin was killed in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Authorities have confirmed that Martin’s next of kin have been notified. Thankfully, the drivers of both the delivery truck and the GMC SUV were not injured.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Texas Highway Patrol, Salado Police Department, and Salado Fire Department, along with the Bell County Sheriff’s Office. Due to the severity of the crash and the cleanup effort, traffic on Interstate 35 was significantly impacted. Southbound lanes were diverted at Exit 285 (FM-2484), while northbound traffic was rerouted at Exit 286. Authorities advised drivers to use alternative routes while the crash site was being processed.
As of now, the investigation into the crash remains ongoing. DPS continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision, including vehicle conditions and visibility at the time of the incident. The role of the deer strike in contributing to the vehicle’s disablement is also being considered in the final findings.
The crash serves as a reminder of the hazards drivers can face from wildlife crossings and the dangers of vehicles becoming stalled in active traffic lanes. Law enforcement and emergency personnel worked swiftly to manage the scene and keep traffic disruptions to a minimum while gathering necessary evidence.
No further details have been released at this time, but DPS encourages any witnesses or individuals with information to come forward as the investigation continues.
