DPS: 1 Dead, 1 Seriously Injured in Crash near Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE — Law enforcement officials have identified the drivers and passenger involved in a Monday afternoon fatal crash near Jacksonville. According to KETK Trooper Jean Dark, at 1:50 p.m., a woman was driving her vehicle north on Highway 69 behind a semi when she failed to control her speed and hit the back of the 18-wheeler headed in the same direction. She died at the scene. Authorities identified her as Kelly Lewis, 52, of Rusk.

Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Judge Brenda Dominy pronounced Lewis dead at 2:20 p.m. Her body was taken to Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home in Rusk. A passenger in Lewis’ vehicle survived the wreck, but was taken to a local hospital in serious condition; his current condition is unknown. The man was identified by DPS as Cody O’Reilly, 25, of Rusk.

The driver of the semi was Alan Cuevas-Bazaldue, 29, of Mesquite, said Dark. Both passengers injured in the accident were wearing seatbelts. The crash remains under investigation.