TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY – Smith County Fatal

Number of Vehicles in Crash: 1         Number of   Injured:1   Number killed: 1

Date & Time: 4/7/2023 & 12:15 P.M.

County: Smith

Location: FM 850, 5 miles east of Tyler, Texas

Posted Speed Limit: 55 mph

Vehicle 1: 2019 Nissan Sentra

Driver 1:

Ronald J. Williams, male, 62 YOA of Overton, Texas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Incapacitating injuries: transported to UT Health Hospital in Tyler, Texas

Passenger: Deceased

Velva V. Arnold, female, 50 YOA of Overton, Texas.

Seatbelt: No

Pronounced By: Dr. Scott Norwood of UT Health Hospital in Tyler, Texas at 12:55 P.M.

Description:

Preliminary investigation indicates that vehicle 1 was traveling west on FM 850. Vehicle 1 drifted off the roadway and collided into a tree on the front side.

Weather Condition: Raining

Road Conditions: Wet

Investigated By: Trooper C. Loftin, DPS Tyler

A preliminary crash report will be available for purchase online in 10 days. Link: https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/crashReportSearch.htm

Adam Albritton, Sergeant

Texas Department of Public Safety

Safety Education / Media & Communications

Coverage Area: Smith, Rains, Wood, Camp, Upshur,

Gregg, Marion, Harrison and Panola counties.