BY MARY JANE FARMER

HERALD DEMOCRAT

A single car crash off U.S. Highway 82 caused injuries that sent two Sherman men to area hospitals, one by helicopter and the other by ambulance.

It happened about 4:45 p.m. as a 2004 Dodge, driven by James Morneau, 25, was going east into Sherman, taking the passenger to work. Sherman police have not yet released the identity of the passenger, who is the one who was flown out.

Sherman Police Officer Brandon Toney said he spoke with witnesses who said the driver was speeding and had been passing vehicles on the highway. Suddenly, the Dodge veered off to the right, or to the south. It struck ground in the median between the highway and the service road and rolled once, landing again on the service road pavement. From there, it rolled at least twice more, downhill into the southmost ditch and then back up again until it came to a stop against several small trees, the edge of a wooded area and facing west.

Sherman EMS said the two men were out of the car upon their arrival and a passerby was assisting them. Soon, they determined that it was in the best interest of the passenger to be flown to Methodist Hospital in Dallas. Sherman EMS took the driver to Wilson N. Jones Medical Center.

The Dodge seems to be a total loss. The trunk was torn off and landed near the rear end, Toney reported. The driver's side rear wheel was missing, but may have been recovered as a tow truck retrieved the vehicle.

Neither victim is reported to have injuries that would be considered life-threatening, said Sherman Fire Capt. Donnie Glenn.

Toney said it doesn't appear that the passenger was wearing a seat belt, but that the driver was.