KTBB News, Weather, Talk

HENDERSON — Rusk County voters are facing two major proposals on the May ballot. KETK reports that in Henderson, a $27 million school bond is on the table. Supporters say Henderson’s current middle school is overcrowded and unsafe. Also on the ballot: financial support for local volunteer fire departments. They’re still feeling the pinch from our 2011 wildfire season, so the Rusk County Emergency Services District has proposed a tax hike from 3 cents to 7 cents.

GUN BARREL CITY (AP) – An East Texas city is staying true to its name by passing a resolution encouraging homeowners to own a firearm. On April 23, the city council in Gun Barrel City approved the measure that urges residents to have a weapon in their home, “together with ammunition.” There are exemptions included in the resolution, such as for those with a mental disability or who “conscientiously oppose” having a weapon. The city 55 miles southeast of Dallas is steeped in firearms: Its logo features two revolvers and the motto is, “We’ll shoot straight with you.” Mayor Paul Eaton told Dallas station WFAA-TV that gun ownership is a right. “We don’t need our rights taken away,” he said.

SCOTTSVILLE — Harrison County officials are trying to determine the cause of a fire that killed a man and destroyed his double wide mobile home. Killed was Glenn Coleman, 62. He was pronounced dead at the scene Monday night. The fire occurred on U.S. Highway 80 near Scottsville. Fire Marshall Thomas Mock tells the Longview News-Journal the only thing left of the mobile home is the frame and it will be hard to determine the cause of the fire.

HENDERSON — Two persons have been killed and three injured in a three vehicle accident in Rusk County. It happened around 4:30 yesterday afternoon on State Highway 43 near its intersection with County Road 214-D. Killed was Sandra Jones, 63, and Shari Standard, 62, both of Henderson. A six year old boy with them is listed in critical condition in a Dallas hospital. Two other persons are also hospitalized.The Department of Public Safety says the accident occurred when a truck hit the women’s SUV from the rear, pushing it into an oncoming truck.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three Nacogdoches men in connection with two burglaries in the Appleby area that occurred around April 1. According to KETK, Sheriff Jason Bridges said deputies investigated two burglaries that occurred a week apart on County Road 256 and Farm to Market Road 2609. Deputies saw that there were similarities in how both break-ins occurred.

Sheriff’s office investigators caught a break in the case after gaining information on several other recent arrests that have been made on burglary investigations over the course of the last month. While working those investigations, the sheriff’s office was able to find the stolen items from one of the residences that had been burglarized. This helped authorities identify three suspects in ongoing criminal cases. According to officials, investigators spoke to the three men about the burglaries and obtained confessions from them about the crime.

According to authorities, after getting confessions and other evidence, warrants were issued for the arrest of Mickey Johnson, 19, Alfredo Olmeda, 17, and Mauricio Sanchez, 17, for two counts of engaging in criminal activity, a first and second felony. All three suspects were taken into custody Monday afternoon and booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail. Sanchez and Johnson had previously been arrested by the sheriff’s office on April 8 for another burglary offense on County Road 806.

VAN — Two drivers have died in a two vehicle accident in Van Zandt County. It happened around 9:30 Monday night on Farm Road 314. Dead at the scene was Jason Miller, 29, of Van and Jill Troquille, 46 of Ben Wheeler. Their vehicles were said to have caught fire following the crash. The Department of Public Safety says Miller was north bound on FM314 and Troquille was south bound when Miller’s SUV crossed the center line and hit Troquille’s pickup headon.

LONGVIEW — Two women have been arrested after allegedly stealing 59 City of Longview manhole covers, and one is facing sentencing in a high-profile case from 2011. KETK reports that Rachel Bradley, 40, and Penny Summers, 51, were taken into custody after allegedly trying to sell them to a Longview scrapyard. Police say the covers had been stolen from the Neiman Marcus industrial park and the North Longview Economic Park areas. Authorities with the Harrison County Sheriff’s office say the two were also trying to sell a stolen urn that had been holding flowers in a small Longview cemetery. The women were arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail.

Bradley (pictured) had previously been arrested for her role in the theft of $20,000 in gifts meant for local foster children during the Christmas season of 2011. The toys and electronics belonged to the Gregg County Child Welfare Board and were taken from the organization’s storage facility. Bradley was indicted in April 2012 for that crime and was released from jail on a $25,000 bond. The court found her guilty on April 4, and she is awaiting sentencing on May 6 for that felony case.

NEW BOSTON (AP) — The New Boston City Council has voted to remove the city’s longtime police chief. Kerry Pinkham says he doesn’t know why city leaders want him out. Council members say some people have complained that police aren’t doing a good enough job dealing with drug problems in the East Texas city of about 4,600.

HAZLEHURST, MISS. (AP/Staff) – A lawyer says he may try to free an accused embezzler from Mississippi who turned up in East Texas. A Mississippi grand jury in January failed to indict Linda Gale Reed. Reed’s attorney tells WLBT-TV in Jackson that if that happens again in June, he’ll petition the court to set her free.

Reed disappeared in late April of 2012, and her relatives feared she might be dead. Reed was picked up in October of 2012 in Longview, Texas, and was returned to Mississippi. She remains in jail but has not been formally indicted. Authorities say Reed is accused of embezzling $20,000 from her employer, Moore’s Fabrications. She had worked for the company since 1999. They say an accountant found the money missing from petty cash fund. She was reported missing after she didn’t show up for work on April 30, 2012. Her vehicle was found the next day.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say one retailer has been caught selling alcohol to a minor during the city’s latest police sting. On Tuesday, April 23, the Longview Police Department, partnering with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and Longview Partners in Prevention (PIP), conducted off-premise minor stings at area retailers to validate compliance with Texas law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors. 15 alcohol retailers were checked by the undercover team. Police say the only one cited was Big Papa’s at 880 East Loop 281.

Police say the individual who sold alcohol to the undercover minor was listed in an offense report for “making alcohol available to a minor.” That’s a class “A” misdemeanor, and the report will be filed with the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. In addition, the TABC issued an administrative citation to the business.

LUFKIN (AP) – An East Texas woman has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for splashing her ex-roommate with gasoline and starting him on fire in a dispute about rent. A judge in Lufkin on has sentenced Michealle Boston, 45, of Lufkin over the November 2011 incident. A jury in February convicted Boston of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing bodily injury. Investigators say Anthony Hamilton suffered second-degree burns.

The Lufkin News reports Boston and Hamilton were renting his deceased mother’s home but he moved out when he fell behind in the payments. Prosecutors say the two argued over some property he left behind. Hamilton testified that he and Boston occasionally used drugs together and that he had been smoking PCP on the night he was burned.

MT. SELMAN — Cherokee County officials have rounded up two suspects in an aggravated robbery. Saturday afternoon just after 5:30, the Hot Spot #2 convenience store in Mt. Selman was robbed at gunpoint. According to the clerk, an individual came in the doors on the south side of the store, walked immediately around the counter, and pulled a gun demanding all the money. Once the suspect got the money, he reportedly ran back out the same doors. The clerk described the suspect as a young white male, wearing a red shirt with white lettering, and a bandana covering the bottom portion of his face. He was able to describe the pistol as a blue steel revolver with a wooden handle.

A witness to the robbery stated that he had just purchased a drink from the store and was leaving in his vehicle. He pulled around the rear of the store and observed a white male standing at the back of the store. He said the male was wearing a maroon shirt and turned his head to conceal his face when the witness drove past.

As the witness continued around the store and stopped to enter Highway 69, he looked back at the store and reportedly saw the same person standing next to the clerk behind the counter. The witness said he turned back into the parking lot on the south side of the store and saw the suspect running across the grass toward a blue Dodge Durango that was parked behind bushes on CR 3914. He stated that the passenger side door was already open, and the suspect jumped into the vehicle, which then sped off southbound on County Road 3914. The witness returned to the store to check on the clerk and wait for Deputies to arrive.

Using the information provided by the witness and the store clerk, law officers broadcast the suspect and vehicle information to other officers who located the suspect vehicle near CR 4910 in the Troup area. Inside the vehicle, with the two suspects, Det. Joey Ray and Deputy Dowell Baker located and recovered an H&R .22 caliber blue steel revolver with wooden pistol grips, $257 in cash, a black bandana, and a cloth mesh drawstring bag. Taken into custody were Jeremy Ray Sides (pictured), 20, of Troup, and Jacob Benjamin Reno, 17, of Jacksonville. Officials believe that Sides entered the store with the gun, and that Reno was the getaway driver. The investigation continues as Detectives compare shoe and tire impressions cast at the scene with those of the suspects and their vehicle. Other charges may still be pending based on the outcome of the investigation.

TYLER — A 40-year-old Joaquin man has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges. Dean Allen Tucker pleaded guilty to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine when he appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Tucker faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set

According to federal prosecutors, Tucker purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine from the Ken Turner Pharmacy in Carthage with intentions of manufacturing methamphetamine. Tucker also admitted to purchasing cold pills on 25 additional occasions from November 18, 2008 to April 15, 2009, amounting to approximately 58.44 grams of pseudoephedrine. A grand jury returned a federal indictment on November 7, 2012, charging Tucker and Christine Stephens Carroll with drug trafficking crimes. Carroll was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison last August.

TYLER — A 45-year-old Grapeland man is arrested on child exploitation charges. Robbie Newby was indicted April 17 on four counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography. Newby had an initial appearance Monday in Tyler federal court. Authorities claim he coerced or persuaded a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct. The offenses allegedly took place in Anderson County. If convicted, Newby faces a minimum of 15 years in prison for each exploitation charge and up to 10 years for the possession charge.

LONGVIEW — 78-year-old Elbert Pannell has been found alive and well, according to authorities. He walked away from his residence on Flenniken Street in Gladewater (Liberty City area) at about 8:00pm Sunday and had last been seen walking on Old Highway 135. Authorities announced he’d been found shortly after issuing a missing persons bulletin this afternoon.

LONGVIEW — All Longview adult softball games scheduled for Monday were called off after Hensley Park was found to be vandalized. City officials tell KETK several electrical boxes were broken into and the wires were cut to the lights on the field. The City is waiting for electrical contractors to assess the damage before they can estimate the cost. The games will be rescheduled for a later date. If you have any information about this incident, you are urged to contact Longview Police.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County authorities have arrested three men after executing a narcotics search warrant. Sheriff’s investigators executed the warrant Friday at the residence of Johnny Ray Birdwell (pictured), 63, located just outside the Reklaw Community in Eastern Cherokee County. Detectives Fred Butler and Michael Goff obtained a search warrant for the residence after conducting a lengthy narcotics investigation into the alleged sale of narcotics by Birdwell. The search warrant was executed at approximately 3:00pm on Friday afternoon. A total of $1,333 was seized, as were approximately 5 oz. of crystal methamphetamine, packaging materials, and other drug paraphernalia, according to officials. Birdwell, Brandon Wade Coats, 44, of Rusk, and Donald Ray Guinn Jr., 41, of Jacksonville were arrested at the scene.

All three suspects were charged with Manufacture/Delivery of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1 (Greater than 4 grams, but less than 200 grams), which is a first degree felony. Birdwell is currently on parole for a previous felony conviction, and will most likely be served with a parole violation in the coming days. Guinn was also charged with Possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1 (Less than 1 gram), which is a first degree felony. Detectives say they located stolen property at the residence, which resulted in a second search warrant being obtained and executed later on the same day. According to authorities, more charges are possible and will be filed as the investigations are completed.

CANTON — Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers has authorized $800 in rewards for tips that led to the recent arrests of three people, including a Dallas man who has been charged with theft of a firearm from a Van Zandt County homeowner. The Dallas man was arrested at his home. Another reward approved was a $400 payout for a tip that resulted in the arrest in Henderson County of a Van Zandt County man wanted on a warrant related to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. There was also a $200 reward for the arrest of a Fort Worth man wanted in connection with a theft in Van Zandt County.

“Three people who needed to be in jail are now, thanks to our latest anonymous tip callers,” said Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. “We are happy to give out rewards, especially when it takes criminals off the streets and makes all of us safer.”

Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers gives rewards of up to $1,000 for anonymous tips that lead to arrests of criminal offenders who have either allegedly just committed a crime or who are wanted on warrants. The Crime Stoppers tip line number is 903-567-STOP (567-7867). Crime Stoppers is hosting a fund-raising golf tournament at Van Zandt Country Club in Canton June 8. More information about Crime Stoppers is available at http://www.vanzandtcrimestoppers.org or on Facebook. For information about the June 8 golf tournament, call 903-848-0163.

SMITH COUNTY — A gas leak was repaired Monday near John Soules Foods on Farm Road 14 in Smith County. KETK reports the crew that was working on the line accidentally busted it. John Soules was evacuated as a precaution because it was nearby. Farm Road 14 was blocked off to prevent any sparks that might occur. Roads were reopened by late yesterday morning, and employees returned to business as usual. There were no injuries reported.

JACKSONVILLE — A well-known Jacksonville eatery sits empty today, destroyed by fire. KETK reports that firefighters worked for hours Sunday to put out the blaze that destroyed Yum Yum restaurant on Main Street. While authorities say the fire started at around 12:30 Sunday morning, the flames continued until late in the afternoon. Jacksonville Fire Department Captain Randy Ragsdale said, “It’s not safe to put anybody inside because of the danger of collapse so we’re just trying to put in all the water we can with the ladder.”

While no one was in the restaurant at the time of the fire, the loft above the restaurant was a different story. Only one of the loft’s three residents, Jeral Kopelow, was home, but escaped safely. Kopelow says right before the fire started he heard what sounded like two small explosions from the back of the building. Because of the severity of the fire damage, firefighters say they may never find out what started the flames. Captain Ragsdale explains, “I would say at this point it’s going to be hard to determine what started the fire” The one thing that is certain: Yum Yum will be missed. This restaurant had a history of donating food to emergency shelters such as Hope: Helping Others Pursue Enrichment.

TYLER — Early voting got underway Monday in the May elections throughout Texas. In East Texas, voters will be deciding on a number of items and candidates. The most prominent in Smith County: a bond election in Tyler ISD. The bond proposal would create a career and technology center that offers cosmetology and health science classes. It also calls for the renovation of Dixie and Rice Elementary Schools and building three new middle schools.

Smith County officials want you to know about their new location for casting early ballots: 302 E. Ferguson, just two buildings east of the previous location in the Courthouse Annex. Officials say the new facility offers customers ample parking, ground-level entry, and a spacious early voting area.

Early Voting Hours For the May 11 Election in Smith County:
· April 29th – May 3rd: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
· May 6th – 7th: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

For additional information concerning the May 11 Smith County election or early voting, visit the Elections page at http://www.smith-county.com or contact the Smith County Elections Office at 903-590-4777.

LONGVIEW — The next City of Longview Election will be Saturday, May 11. Early voting began Monday, April 29. Voters from Districts 5 and 6 will elect council members, and voters from all districts will decide three propositions.

For City Council, Richard Manley is running unopposed in District 5, and Sidney Allen is running unopposed in District 6.

Voters from all districts will decide three propositions. Proposition 1 pertains to legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption. If the proposition passes, grocery and convenience stores in the historically dry areas of west and north Longview would be able to sell beer and wine, but not hard liquor. Proposition 2 pertains to a City Charter amendment to require a filing fee or petition for mayoral and city council candidates. Proposition 3 pertains to a City Charter amendment to change the residency requirement from six months to twelve months for mayoral and city council candidates.

For information about City elections, visit http://www.LongviewTexas.gov or contact the City Secretary’s Office at 903-237-1080.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin teen has been arrested and charged with DWI and evading arrest. Booked into the Angelina County Jail was Christina T. Luna, 19. KETK reports was driving down the road and when police flashed their lights on. Luna did not stop when the officer tried to pull her over. After being stopped, authorities reported her breath alcohol content was .15, nearly twice the legal amount.

LONGVIEW – This week, East Hawkins Parkway will be under construction from Airline Road to Eastman Road (US 259). Traffic will be reduced to two lanes for street maintenance and overlay work. Street work will continue on Hawkins Parkway through the week. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes.

This project is being constructed by Cutler Repaving of Lawrence, Kansas. If you have any questions related to construction please call the City’s Project Manager, Alton Bradley, at 903-237-1067.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

ANDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday and Tuesday this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs in the northbound outside lane of SE Loop 256 in Palestine in front of Palestine High School. A second crew is scheduled to make edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 19 between Frankston and Neches. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also this week, traffic lanes will shift on Friday throughout the U.S. Highway 79 expansion project between Palestine and the Trinity River. Motorists are encouraged to use caution while navigating the new lanes.

KILGORE — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform spot-resurfacing work in various locations on Farm Road 2204 between U.S. Highway 259 and Pentecost Road. Once that work is complete, crews will move to perform edge work on US 259 between the south end of the Kilgore Bypass and Farm Road 850 in Rusk County. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 2661 between the railroad crossing south of State Highway 31 and Pine Cove. A second crew is scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on NB U.S. Highway 271 in and around the intersection with Farm Road 2908. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

Also this week, work has begun on the project to widen the shoulders of Farm Road 14 between Interstate Highway 20 north of Tyler and Farm Road 16 in Red Springs. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid delays on this project.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 80, beginning Monday between Edgewood and State Highway 19, then moving to perform the same work in various locations in and around Grand Saline. Meanwhile, a second crew is scheduled to perform spot resurfacing operations on Farm Road 16 in Van. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 782 between U.S. Highway 259 in Henderson and Farm Road 1716 in Oak Hill. Then on Thursday, weather permitting, crews will begin several weeks of resurfacing operations on Farm Road 782 between Farm Road 1716 in Oak Hill and State Highway 149 near the Gregg County Line. Also this week in Rusk County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform edge work on US 259 between Farm Road 850 and the Kilgore Bypass. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make pavement and edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 779 northwest of Mineola and perform spot-resurfacing operations on Loop 564 in Mineola. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1911 east of U.S. Highway 69 near Wells. A second crew is scheduled to make edge repairs on Farm Road 13 between Troup and State Highway 42 in Price in Rusk County. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin several weeks of pavement-repair operations on U.S. Highway 175 between SE Loop 7 in Athens and Farm Road 804. The work is being done in preparation for a seal coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man convicted of murder 23 years ago will be free by summer. KETK reports the victims were a husband, his wife, and their toddler son. In April of 1984, Jerry and Brenda Morgan were found murdered in their home in Longview. Jerry had been shot multiple times. Brenda was shot once in the back of the neck and bled to death. Their 22-month-old son Devin had been held with one hand by the killer, and shot once in the face.

The case went cold until 1990, when the former wife of longtime drug dealer Alvin Kelly told authorities about the crime. Kelly was in jail on another murder conviction. He was convicted of the murder of the boy and given the death penalty. His accomplice, Ronnie Wilson, who was there but didn’t pull the trigger, was given 66 years.

KETK spoke with District Judge David Brabham in Longview, who was DA at the time. He only said they chose not to seek death for Wilson, but wouldn’t say why. Kelly was executed in 2009, still saying he didn’t commit the crime. And now, Wilson is about to be given parole. Lori Kubecka was 10 at the time of the murders of her uncle and his family. “I just don’t feel that he served enough time. We’re living through this daily,” she says. “If you’re helping with a murder, I don’t care who’s doing it. you’re just as guilty.”

GRESHAM — Nearby residents say they are not shocked over a fatal wreck last Thursday on FM 2813 in southern Smith County. Authorities say it happened after one driver — the one who was killed — failed to yield right of way. One resident tells KETK, “A lot of people out here don’t usually stop either. So I’m expecting a big accident outside of my house.” Some say the small roads seem to have a high accident rate. Smith County Sheriff’s Office PIO John Moore says, “Some of these intersections might not be as marked as when you’re traveling in the city. When you’re in the city you have red lights and things that call your attention more than you do in the county, so it’s twice as important when you’re in the county that you pay attention to oncoming traffic.”

Officials say 29-year-old Omar Saucedo died Friday. The accident happened at the intersection of FM 2813 and County Road 128. A pickup towing a trailer driven by Scott Pope, 43, of Hawkins, was traveling westbound on the farm road. According to state troopers, a white SUV driven by Saucedo was eastbound on the farm road when it turned left, failing to yield right of way to the oncoming pickup. The pickup struck the SUV as it turned in front of it. Both vehicles fell into a nearby ditch, and the SUV caught fire. A passerby managed to extinguish the flames before officials arrived on scene.

Pope remained in critical condition at Mother Frances hospital in Tyler. His two passengers were listed as having non-incapacitating injuries and taken to ETMC and Mother Frances. Saucedo was initially listed as having critical injuries and taken to ETMC. Officials say he was wearing a seatbelt. His passenger was listed as having non-incapacitating injuries and taken to ETMC.

PALESTINE — A three-vehicle accident in Palestine has left one person dead. According to KETK, Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., police were called to the intersection of Loop 256 and Martin Luther King Blvd. During investigation police were able to find that a truck with a trailer was traveling southbound on Loop 256 when a van traveling westbound on MLK pulled into the path of the truck. The impact of the truck pushed the van onto MLK, where it hit a car. The drivers of the car and van were taken to a local hospital. The driver of the van was later taken to another local hospital for further treatment. A male passenger in the van was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The name of the man has not yet been released pending notification of family. The cause of the accident is still being investigated.

PALESTINE — One person is dead following an early Sunday morning traffic accident in Palestine. KETK reports that just after midnight, police officers responded to the scene on Crockett Road at Oakland Street. They found that a young man was walking down the street and was hit by a truck. The man, who has not yet been identified, was said to have been northbound. A truck was traveling northbound in the outside lane of travel. The man was struck by the truck as he walked along the roadway.

Members of the local fire department and EMS arrived on scene to treat the victim. The victim had serious injuries from the impact and died at the scene. Justice of the Peace Carl Davis pronounced the young man dead and ordered an autopsy be conducted at the medical examiner’s office in Tyler. The driver of the truck was not injured; officials say name of the truck driver will not be released at this time. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, including why the victim was in the roadway.

The driver of the truck has cooperated with police concerning the accident, according to authorities. There was also another person walking with the victim at the time of the accident. Police have talked with this possible witness in an attempt to piece together what took place. Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Lynn Hubert is assisting with the investigation. Officials say additional information will be released when it comes available.

TYLER — One person has been killed and three injured in a vehicle-horse crash Thursday night in Smith County. Officials say it happened around 10:20 p.m. on Highway 31, 8/10 of a mile east of Tyler. A Dodge Neon driven by 22-year-old Jose Espinoza-Gallegos of Tyler was traveling westbound and struck a horse. Espinoza-Gallegos was pronounced dead Friday. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Two passengers were injured and listed in fair condition. The third person injured, also a passenger, was a minor on whom officials are not offering any details.