Fatal Wood County Crash

Troopers responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on SH-37, three miles north of Mineola in Wood County Thursday night. The investigator’s preliminary crash reports indicate that the driver of a 2015 Dodge Journey, Anna Ruth Bates, 46, of Quitman, was traveling north on SH-37 around a curve to the right in the roadway. At the same time, the driver of a 2003 Toyota 4-Runner, Kaylie Michelle Hasten, 24, of Mineola, was traveling south on the same roadway. The driver of the Toyota crossed into the opposing lane and struck the Dodge head one. As a result of the crash, Hasten was transported to Christus Mother Francis Hospital in stable condition. A one-year-old female passenger in Hasten’s vehicle was transported to UT-Health in Tyler in stable condition. The driver of the Dodge, Bates, was pronounced at the scene by Judge Janae Holland and taken to Beaty Funeral Home in Quitman.  Passengers in the Dodge included a six and four-year-old child, both female as well as a  seven-month-old male child. All were transported to UT-Health in Tyler in stable condition. All occupants were restrained. The crash remains under investigation.