TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY – Upshur County Fatal Crash 11-6-2023

Number of Vehicles in Crash: 3          Number of   Injured: 1                 Number killed: 2

Date & Time: 11/6/2023 & 11:00 A.M.

County: Upshur

Location: State Highway 155 at Bluebell Road

Vehicle 1: 2020 Freightliner Truck Tractor towing a 1999 Tran Trailer

Driver 1:

Jeffery N. Mitchell, male, 59 YOA of DeKalb, Texas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Not injured

Vehicle 2: 2008 Chevy Impala

Driver 2: Deceased

Elijah A. Auld, male, 20 YOA of Gilmer, Texas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Pronounced By: JP Lyle Potter, on scene.

Passenger: Deceased

Kinzy Jones, male, 21 YOA of Gilmer, Texas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Pronounced By: JP Lyle Potter, on scene.

Vehicle 3: 2016 Honda Civic

Driver 3:

Kailey R. Wildt, female, 37 YOA of Gilmer, Texas.

Seatbelt: Yes

Incapacitating Injuries, transported to UT Health Tyler, Texas.

Description:

Preliminary investigation indicates that vehicle 1 was traveling north on State Highway 155 and vehicle 2 was also traveling north on State Highway 155 in front of vehicle 1. Vehicle 2 was slowing down to make a left turn onto Bluebell Road, and vehicle 3 was traveling south on State Highway 155 in the oncoming lane. The driver of vehicle 2 was yielding to vehicle 3 and the driver of vehicle 1 failed to control his speed colliding into the rear of vehicle 2 sending vehicle 2 into the path of vehicle 3 in the oncoming lane. This is an ongoing investigation and there are no further details at this time.

Weather Condition: Clear

Road Conditions: Dry

Investigated By: Corporal S. Taylor, DPS Gilmer

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