Man charged with intoxicated manslaughter

RUSK COUNTY — Following a fatal crash in Rusk County on Saturday afternoon, one man was arrested after it was discovered he had allegedly caused the crash while driving intoxicated. According to an affidavit from the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, a trooper was dispatched to a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of FM 3053 and FM 1639 in Gregg County.

Once on the scene, the trooper observed a Nissan Versa that had become disabled following the crash. The driver of the Nissan was identified as Tanner Templeton and two pickup trucks that were involved in the incident were found disabled behind Templeton’s car. Authorities believe that the crash was caused when Templeton was driving westbound on FM 1639 and while he was approaching the intersection, he drove past a stop sign without stopping and was struck by a pickup truck traveling northbound on FM 3053.

After striking Templeton’s car, one of the trucks driven by Tracey Fears was pushed into oncoming southbound traffic and struck head-on by another truck. After being hit by the truck, Fears was pronounced dead on the scene and his two passengers were taken by helicopter to a local hospital after suffering serious injury.

Following the crash, the trooper noticed that Templeton had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath, along with glassy eyes and slurred speech, prompting the trooper to issue a field sobriety test.

According to the affidavit, Templeton failed several sobriety tests, prompting him to be placed under arrest for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault.

After being taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation, Templeton was later booked into the Rusk County Jail and his bond has been set at $275,000.