TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY – Smith County Fatal Crash – 9/8/2023

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Number of Vehicles in Crash: 3          Number of   Injured: 0                 Number killed: 1

Date & Time: 09/08/2023 & 4:00 P.M.

County: Smith

Location: State Highway 155 at County Road 196, 5 miles south of Tyler, Texas

Posted Speed Limit: 60 mph

Vehicle 1: 2007 Chrysler Sebring

Driver 1:

Dorothy D. Lee, female, 37 YOA of Tyler, Texas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Not injured

Passenger:

Grace Lee, female, 12 YOA of Tyler, Texas

Seatbelt: Yes

Not injured

Passenger:

Christian Giddens, male, 8 YOA of Tyler, Texas

Seatbelt: Yes

Not injured

Vehicle 2: 2003 Yamaha Motorcycle

Driver 2: Deceased

Sean O. Leary, male, 39 YOA of Frankston, Texas.

Helmet Worn: Yes

Pronounced By: JP Andy Dunklin, on scene.

Vehicle 3: 2018 Toyota Rav4

Driver 3:

Tiffany J. Giertych, female, 43 YOA of Tyler, Texas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Not injured

Description:

Preliminary investigation indicates that vehicle 1 was stopped at a stop sign on County Road 196 facing west. Vehicle 2 was traveling southbound on State Highway 155. Vehicle 3 was stopped at a stop sign on County Road 196 facing east. The driver of vehicle 1 failed to yield the right of way to vehicle 2 and collided with vehicle 2 in the intersection. Vehicle 3 sustained only minor damage after the initial collision.

Weather Condition: Clear

Road Conditions: Dry

Investigated By: Trooper B. Creech, 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

Media & Communications / Safety Education