Identity released following fatal weekend wreck

RUSK COUNTY — The White Oak Community Church has created a fundraiser to help the family of Tracy Fears after he was killed in a car crash in Rusk on Saturday.

According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Department of Public Safety said the crash was caused when Tanner 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.

Fears was a prominent member of the White Oak community, especially in youth athletics as a board member, coach and umpire for the White Oak Baseball Association.

“Tracey Fears loved our players, our organization, and was a great man in our community,” the White Oak Baseball Association said. “Please join us in praying for his wife Stephanie, son Braden, and the entire Fears Family as they go through this terrible tragedy.”

To support Fear’s family during this difficult time, White Oak Community Church has set up a fund on its website. The church said that all donations received will go directly to Fear’s family.