Lousiana Man Arrested for Fatal Wreck

LONGVIEW — Longview police on Friday morning arrested a man on a manslaughter charge in connection with a Dec. 1 wreck that killed a Kilgore man. Officials arrested Steven D. Cole, 54, of Louisiana in connection with the wreck that killed Joe D. Hightower, 49. Hightower died in the wreck shortly after 10:00 near the intersection of South and High streets in Longview. Police said Steven D. Cole, 54, was driving a 2005 Ford truck eastbound on South Street when he ran the red light at the intersection with High Street.

Cole hit a Toyota truck, driven by Hightower, that was turning left on to South from High Street, police said. The Toyota caught fire during the wreck. Fort pronounced Hightower dead at the scene. Officials had to extract Cole from his vehicle. He was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center with non-incapacitating injuries and remains hospitalized.