Three Dead In Van Zandt County Crash

From DPS Sgt Jean Dark

Last night at 7:14 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on SH-19, one mile northwest of Edgewood in Van Zandt County.  Reportedly, the driver of a 2006 Dodge Dakota, Jessie Michael Brown, 19, of Fruitvale, was traveling south on SH-19 while a 2018 Chevrolet Cruz, driven by Connie McKinley Wells, 61, of Wills Point, was going north on SH-19. Brown began passing vehicles in a no passing zone and struck the Chevrolet head-on in the northbound shoulder.

As a result of the crash, Brown and his 16-year-old male passenger were transported to Christus Mother Francis Hospital-Tyler in stable condition.

Judge Wade McMillian pronounced Wells dead at the scene, and he was transported to Eubanks Funeral Home in Canton. Two male passengers, 14 and 11 years old, were also pronounced at the scene by Judges Dunn and Shinn. Both were transported to Hiett’s Lybrand Funeral Home in Wills Point. A 12-year-old female was flown to Cooks Children’s Hospital in Dallas in critical condition.

All crash victims show to have been wearing seatbelts.

The crash remains under investigation.