Four die on Highway 31 car crash Monday morning

SMITH COUNTY — Four people were killed after a Monday morning predawn crash on Highway 31 near the Smith and Gregg County line. An initial investigation by the the Texas Department of Public Safety said a vehicle was eastbound on State Highway 31 East. A second vehicle was traveling west on SH 31 East. The first vehicle drove onto the wrong side of the road, entering into the path of the second vehicle. DPS said it was nearly a head-on collision.

The driver of the first vehicle was identified as 19-year-old Julian Martinez. His passengers were Jonathan Josue Perez, 20 and 21-year-old David Morales Ramos, all were from Kilgore. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle, 40-year-old Nicholas Colby Sanders of Kilgore, was also pronounced dead at the accident site.

Kilgore ISD released the following statement: “Our prayers and thoughts are with all of the families who have been affected by this morning’s car accident on Highway 31,” the district said. “Our KISD Counselors have been made aware of this accident and are available for our Bulldog students and staff.”