UPDATE 12-08 - Fiery wreck results in fatality

Photo by Chris Edwards/Tyler County Booster

By Chris Edwards

JASPER COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 69 near Rockland, that occurred on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 5.

The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 3:52 p.m., a Kenworth truck tractor semi-trailer was traveling north and was stopped due to construction and was reportedly struck in the rear by a Ford F-150. After impact, the pickup caught fire.

The driver of the pickup succumbed to injuries sustained during the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene by a Justice of the Peace. Their information is not available at this time.

Following the crash, the Texas Department of Transportation’s Lufkin District issued a statement concerning the crash and safety in work zones.

Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Shana Clark on Thursday released the name of the man who died in a fiery Tuesday afternoon accident. It happened at about 4:00 in extreme northwest Jasper County in the Rockland Community. The man has been identified as Matthew Everett Carr, 34, of Woodville.

According to Clark, a northbound 18-wheeler had stopped due to construction when it was hit from behind by the pickup truck, which then went off the highway and caught on fire.

“The work zone was set with rumble strips, barricades, and a flagger directing traffic just north of the Jasper County line on US 69. There was a work crew present at the time of the crash. The TxDOT family would like to express its heartfelt sympathy to the family of those involved and to those who witnessed the crash,” said Rhonda Oaks, of TxDOT.

Motorists are urged to reduce speed and obey all traffic control in and near a TxDOT work zone. Stay alert for moving equipment and workers near the lanes of travel as you approach a work zone. Always be prepared to stop.