Man Charged in Fatal Smith County Wreck

TYLER – The driver of the vehicle that killed 2-year-old Sydney Jane Farris in Saturday’s Highway 69 wreck near Bullard remains jailed. According to KETK, 41-year-old Jorge Cordero-Valera of Bullard was arrested and is in the Smith County Jail on charges of intoxicated manslaughter, along with six other charges of intoxicated assault. His bond has been set at $100,000. Additionally, officials say there is a good chance Cordero-Varela could be living in the U.S. illegally. He’s being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — which means he could very well soon be deported.

According to authorities, Cordera-Varela’s vehicle was traveling south in the northbound lane when it slammed into a 2001 Honda Civic driven by Jansen Farris, 22, of Bullard. Sydney Farris was also in the vehicle. Jansen Farris is in good condition at a Tyler hospital. He is being treated for internal injuries and broken bones. Authorities say Cordera-Varela’s truck went airborne due to its high rate of speed and came down on top of another truck, driven by Crystal Gilbert, 31, of Tyler. A 4-year-old, a 6-year-old, and an 11-year-old, as well as Bartillo Gonzales, were also in the vehicle. They were all treated for their injuries at a Tyler hospital.