Manslaughter Charges Pending After Fatal Accident

NACOGDOCHES — A Henderson man faces possible manslaughter charges in connection with a Wednesday accident on U.S. Highway 259 north of Nacogdoches that left a Garrison man dead and his passenger hospitalized with undisclosed injuries.

Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper John Henley said Timothy Melton, 35, of Garrison died when the Jeep he was driving was struck by a tractor-trailer rig driven by Leon Wood, 38, of Henderson. Henley said Melton was stopped in the northbound lane of the highway, waiting to turn in to the Logmasters business parking lot at the time of the mid-day accident.

Preliminary investigation of the accident indicated Wood was also northbound in the same lane. He apparently attempted to avoid striking Melton’s vehicle but, as Melton began his turn, Wood’s truck struck the passenger vehicle in the driver’s side door, Henley said. Wood’s truck continued northbound, pushing Melton’s vehicle for about 100 yards before coming to rest in the southbound lane of the highway.