Orange, TX (August 11, 2026) – Three people were injured after a Newton County Sheriff’s Office patrol unit collided with a pickup on State Highway-12 in Orange County.
The crash happened around 5:49 p.m. Sunday, August 9, just west of FM-1136. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the patrol unit was traveling west when it reportedly hydroplaned into the eastbound lane and struck an eastbound GMC 2500. The patrol unit was driven by Deputy Sonnier of Sour Lake, who was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The GMC driver, 42-year-old Teddy Breaux of Orange, was treated at the scene. Breaux’s passenger, a 37-year-old Orange woman, was transported for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. No additional information was available about the crash. We are thinking of everyone injured and wishing them a smooth recovery.
How Can Hydroplaning Affect Vehicle Control?
Hydroplaning can happen when a layer of water builds between a vehicle’s tires and the roadway. When this occurs, the driver may temporarily lose traction and have less control over steering or braking.
Wet road conditions can make it harder for vehicles to stop or remain within their travel lanes. Tire condition, vehicle speed, roadway drainage, and the amount of standing water can affect how a vehicle responds.
After a wet-weather crash, investigators may examine roadway conditions, tire marks, vehicle damage, and the paths taken by the vehicles. These details can help establish how the collision unfolded.
