Fatal Van Zandt County Crash

FROM DPS

Wednesday night at approximately 7:35, Troopers responded to a two vehicle fatal crash on VZCR-2801 in Van Zandt County, ten miles north of the city of Mabank. The preliminary crash investigation revealed a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder driven by 16-year-old James Jones of Gun Barrel City was traveling east on VZCR-2801 and disregarded the stop sign at VZCR-2802 into the path of a 2001 Mercury Villager driven by 52-year-old Frances Brasher of Mabank.

The impact caused the Pathfinder to roll, ejecting all three occupants. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene by Judge Ronnie Daniels, his body was taken to Dallas County Medical Examiner’s office. Caitlin McElhany, 16, of Kemp, was taken to Parkland Hospital in Dallas and 14-year-old Destinie Whitman was taken to Children’s Hospital in Dallas both in stable condition.

Brasher was transported to ETMC-Gun Barrel City along with her passenger, 53-year-old Theda Lawson, of Mabank, both in stable condition.