Thursday morning accident claims 2 lives

Others injured

Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers inspect the scene of a Thursday morning accident on U.S. Highway 84 approximately 5.4 miles east of Rusk which claimed the life of two Rusk residents. Killed in the crash were Cherry Grimes, 31, of Rusk, and Trevor "Gage" Lankford, 5, of Rusk.

Two people were killed and four were life-flighted as a result of a two car collision on U.S. Highway 84 approximately 5.4 miles east of Rusk Thursday morning, said Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Steven Crosby.

Trooper Crosby said Cherry Grimes, 31, of Rusk, was killed on impact when her 2006 Pontiac G6 collided with a 2001 GMC Yukon driven by Tressie “Maggie” Martin. He said Mrs. Grimes was traveling east on U.S. 84 when her vehicle left the right side of the pavement. When she tried to steer back onto the road, Trooper Crosby said Mrs. Grimes lost control of the vehicle, which left the left side of the pavement.

He said when Mrs. Grimes tried to steer back onto the pavement, her vehicle slid sideways on the road until it was struck in the driver’s side by Mrs. Martin’s GMC Yukon, which was traveling westbound.

Mrs. Grimes’ five-year old son, Trevor “Gauge” Lankford was also killed in the accident. 

Mrs. Martin was also injured in the crash and was life-flighted to Tyler, as were two other occupants of her GMC Yukon. Three other occupants were transported to ETMC by ambulance.

Trooper Crosby said speed was not a factor in the accident.