Summer Martelli, 65, of Marquez, died Monday afternoon when her car veered into the southbound lanes of FM-39 and collided with a dump truck, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The fatal wreck occurred shortly after 4:00 p.m. north of U.S. Highway 79, in Leon County. Martelli was driving a 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage northbound when her vehicle crossed the center line for reasons still under investigation.
As Martelli’s Mirage sideswiped the dump truck, her car was pushed off the roadway. It rolled several times before coming to rest in a ditch. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, the dump truck also left the road and stopped in a nearby field. Its driver was unhurt, and no other vehicles were involved.
Investigators from DPS are examining what may have caused her car to veer into oncoming traffic. Possible factors include road or weather conditions, mechanical problems, driver distraction, or a sudden medical event. At this point, there is no indication that alcohol or drugs played a role.
Martelli is being mourned by family and the wider community. A fundraising page set up in her memory described her as a devoted mother of one and grandmother of three, whose compassion extended not only to her human family but to animals as well. She was known to take in stray animals, and had a lifelong love for horses stemming from her upbringing on a ranch—her father was a respected horse trainer.
Friends and relatives remember her as generous, kindhearted, and always willing to help others—whether people or animals. Her sudden death has left a void for those who knew her.
The accident also highlights the risks of rural two-lane roads like Farm-to-Market roads, especially where light vehicles share lanes with large trucks and where crossing the center line—intentionally or accidentally—can have tragic consequences. As DPS continues its investigation, Martelli’s loved ones are left to honor her life and the kindness she gave so freely.