Jacksonville youth dies in single-vehicle crash

SMITH COUNTY – A 16-year-old Jacksonville youth was pronounced dead at the scene of an early morning wreck Friday in Smith County, according to DPS officials.

Sgt. Jean Dark, public information officer for the DPS–Tyler District, said that troopers responded to a fatal crash at 12:40 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, on Texas Highway 155, approximately eight miles south of Tyler.

A preliminary investigation report indicated that a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado driven by the 16-year-old male was traveling north along the highway when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle crossed the southbound lane and off the roadway before traveling down an embankment and striking a tree.

The driver was pronounced at the scene by Smith County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Judge Andy Dunklin.