Tyler Traffic Fatality

TYLER — One person is killed, one injured in a northeastern Tyler accident. Tyler Police, Fire and EMS responded to the two vehicle crash in the intersection of Hwy. 271 and NNE Loop 323 around 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Accident Investigators determined that a 2007 Chevy Trail Blazer driven by an elderly couple from Twelve Mile, Indiana, was southbound on 271, turning left onto Loop 323 on a yellow flashing arrow. A 2008 Ford F-350 pick-up was northbound on 271 on a green light and entered the intersection, striking the Trail Blazer in the passenger side doors.

The occupants of the Trail Blazer were identified as driver Clarence Bechdol, age 79, and his wife Margarett Bechdol, age 80, who was the front seat passenger. Mrs. Bechdol was transported to East Texas Medical Center, where she died from injuries sustained in the crash. Mr. Bechdol was also transported to ETMC for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford pickup was identified as John Ainsworth of Longview and was not injured. The Bechdols were traveling from Indiana to Tyler to visit a granddaughter who attends a local college. Mr. Bechdol was determined to be at fault in the crash for failure to yield right of way/left turn.