Major fatal wreck cleared in Rusk County

RUSK COUNTY — The scene of a major fatal wreck in Rusk County has finally been cleared after hours of work. One person was reported dead after the crash on U.S. Highway 259 and FM 850 between Henderson and Kilgore Thursday morning involving a tractor trailer tanker truck that officials said was “leaking large amounts of what appears to be some type of oil product.” According to our news partner KETK, officials said another car struck debris from the initial crash, and they urged drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes. According to the Crims Chapel VFD, multiple fire and rescue agencies responded to the crash around 6:50 a.m. where it was reported that an 18-wheeler was on top of another vehicle with entrapment. DPS reported the tanker truck to be leaking an “oil product” around 6:55 a.m., according to Crims Chapel VFD, and TxDOT was requested to the area.

According to information released by DPS Friday morning, the person killed was Jose Manuel Robles, 42, of Tyler. According to the DPS report, preliminary investigation indicates Robles’s pickup was traveling south on US 259, with the tractor trailer headed west on FM 850 approaching the US 259 intersection. Officials say Robles failed to stop at the stop sign and struck the tanker truck. DPS says the investigation is ongoing.