Gregg County Fatal Crash – 8/7/2026

Kilgore, Texas – On 8/7/2026 at approximately 1:13 A.M., Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on Interstate 20 at the 583 mile marker.

 

A preliminary investigation indicated that a truck tractor-trailer and a Chevrolet Camaro were both traveling westbound on Interstate 20. The driver of the Camaro was traveling behind the truck tractor-trailer and failed to control his speed, colliding into the rear of the tractor-trailer.

 

The driver of the Camaro, later identified as Mark Schaefer, 39, of Longview, was pronounced deceased on scene. The truck tractor-trailer driver, later identified as Rodric Hopkins, 59, of Dallas, did not report any injuries.

 

 

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