TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY – Henderson County Fatal

Number of Vehicles in Crash: 2            Number of Injured: 1                    Number Killed: 1

Date & Time: August 21, 2023, at 12:30 am.

County: Henderson

Location: US Highway 175, 1.1 miles north of Baxter, TX.

Posted Speed Limit: 70 MPH.

Road Condition: Dry.

Vehicle 1: 2007 Honda Civic.

Driver 1: Deceased.

Haven Gabriel Finkie, 22 YOA, from Athens, TX.

Seatbelt: Yes

Pronounced by: Medical staff at UT Health in Tyler, TX.

Vehicle 2:  2019 Ford F150.

Driver 2:

Joseph Charles Simmons, 30 YOA from Haslet, TX.

Seatbelt: Yes

Non-incapacitating injuries:  transported to UT Health Hospital, Athens, TX.

Description: Preliminary investigation indicates vehicle 1 was traveling southeast on US 175, and vehicle 2 was traveling northwest on US 175. Vehicle 1 was turning onto CR 4511 and failed to yield, turning in front of vehicle 2. Vehicle 2 struck vehicle 1. This investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available.

Investigated by: Trooper J. Sandoval, DPS – Athens.

A preliminary crash report will be available for purchase online in 10 days

https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/CrashReportSearch.htm           

Chris Williamson, Sergeant

Texas Department of Public Safety

Safety Education / Media & Communications