One Dead In Van Zandt County Crash

Troopers responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on SH 64 shortly before 7:00 Wednesday night, approximately two miles east of Ben Wheeler in Van Zandt County. The investigator’s preliminary report indicates that the driver of a 2012 Chevrolet Impala was traveling westbound on SH 64 while the driver of a 2018 Toyota Tundra was traveling eastbound on the same roadway. The driver of the Impala drove across the center stripe and stuck the Tundra.

The driver of the Impala was Anthony Scott Lester, 21, of Canton. Judge Shinn pronounced Lester at the scene, and they transported him to Eubanks Funeral Home in Canton.

The driver of the Toyota was Alberto Cruz, 37, of Ben Wheeler. They transported Cruz to Christus Trinity Mother Francis Hospital–Tyler, where they treated and released him.

Paramedics transported a passenger in the vehicle, Emerlin Morales, 31, of Ben Wheeler, to Christus Trinity Mother Francis Hospital–Tyler in stable condition. A seven-year-old male and a three-year-old female were also transported to Christus Trinity Mother Francis Hospital–Tyler in stable condition.