TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY – Smith County Fatal Crash – 9/22/23

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Number of Vehicles in Crash: 2          Number of   Injured: 2              Number killed: 2

Date & Time: 9/22/2023 & 9:38 A.M.

County: Smith

Location: State Highway 31, 10.5 miles east of Tyler, Texas

Posted Speed Limit: 70 mph

Vehicle 1: 2015 Hyundai Accent

Driver 1: Deceased

Margaret I. Reavis, female, 59 YOA of Texarkana, Arkansas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Pronounced By: JP Curtis Wulf, on scene.

Passenger: Deceased

Letha D. Frost, female, 49 YOA of Tyler, Texas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Pronounced By: JP Curtis Wulf, on scene.

Passenger:

*Juvenile*, male, 3 YOA of Texarkana, Texas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Incapacitating injuries, transported to Children’s Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

Vehicle 2: 2016 Dodge Ram 3500

Driver 2:

Ryan W. Wilcoxson Jr., male, 26 YOA of Tyler, Texas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Non-incapacitating injuries; transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances in Tyler, Texas.

Description:

Preliminary investigation indicates that vehicle 1 was traveling east on State Highway 31 in the right lane. Vehicle 2 was traveling east on State Highway 31 behind vehicle 1 in the left lane of travel. The driver of vehicle 1 slowed to make a U-turn to travel back west on State Highway 31 and turned when unsafe in front of vehicle 2. Vehicle 2 collided with vehicle 1, and they came to a stop in the westbound lanes of State Highway 31.

Weather Condition: Clear

Road Conditions: Dry

Investigated By: Trooper W. Hults, 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