Trial Date Set for Lindale Woman Accused of Intoxication Manslaughter

SMITH COUNTY — A trial date has been set for a woman accused of killing two people while driving intoxicated on Toll 49. According to our news partner KETK, Jessica Lauren Vass, 35, of Lindale, is set to be in court for a jury trial Monday, September 24, in Judge Jack Skeen’s court. On the night of April 12, 2017 State Troopers responded to a three-vehicle accident on Toll 49, just north of Highway 64. The preliminary crash investigation revealed a car, driven by Annette Burkhart, 56, of Garland, was stopped southbound on the side of the roadway with a flat tire. A pickup truck, driven by Gary McCrary, 62, of Flint, was stopped behind the disabled car and McCrary was assisting Burkhart in changing the flat tire.

Vass was traveling southbound when she struck the back of the truck, then hit the other car, causing the vehicles to strike both Burkhart and McCrary. McCrary was pronounced dead at the scene and Burkhart was taken to a Tyler hospital where she was pronounced dead. Vass was also taken to a local hospital and was treated and released.