Smith County Fatal Crash – 7/9/26

Flint, Texas – On July 9, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Highway Patrol (HP) Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 155 near Farm to Market Road 344.

A preliminary investigation indicated that a white Toyota Highlander was traveling southbound on State Highway 155. The driver of the Highlander, later identified as Jonathan Ryal, 51, of Tyler, Texas, drove across the center lane into the northbound lanes and collided into a white Cadillac SUV. The driver, Ryal, was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the Cadillac SUV, later identified as Rhanda Lacy, 60, of Crockett, Texas, was also pronounced deceased on scene. There were three passengers in the Cadillac SUV: Leshonda Shepherd, 41, of Crockett, Texas; Cynthia Donnell, 63, of Palestine, Texas; and a four-year-old child.

Shepherd and Donnell were pronounced deceased on scene, and the 4-year-old child was transported to a hospital in Dallas, where she later died as a result of her injuries. During the investigation, it was determined that no one in either vehicle was wearing a seatbelt or using a child safety seat system.

This investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available.