LUFKIN, Texas — A teenager from Jasper is charged with three counts of intoxication manslaughter after a wreck in Lufkin left three people dead and three more injured.
It happened Saturday morning on South First Street in front of Ralph & Kacoos and Cotton Patch.
Lufkin Police believe 17-year-old Tyler Lewis was driving southbound on South First Street in a Honda sedan when he made a lane change and was rear-ended by a Ford Bronco, according to a Lufkin Police Department release.
Witnesses described the lane change as “sudden and dramatic” and told police the Bronco could not avoid the crash. After being hit, the Honda spun into a median and came to an abrupt stop.
Seven people, including Lewis, were inside the Honda when the wreck took place. None of them were wearing seatbelts, according to the release.
Three people died at the scene. They were identified as Anastasia Gray, 19, of Carthage; Antownique Robertson, 18, of Carthage; and Xzavien Grimble, 20, of Jasper.
Two others were flown to a hospital in Tyler to be treated for critical injuries. Another passenger was treated at a hospital and has already been released.
Lewis is charged with three counts of intoxication manslaughter and police said additional charges are pending. He was taken to the Angeline County Jail, according to the release.
“Please pray for all the families affected by this incident,” Lufkin Police said.
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From a Lufkin Police Department release:
FATAL ACCIDENT (UPDATE): Lufkin Police Department is investigating a triple fatality accident in which the driver has been arrested for intoxication manslaughter.
The driver, Tyler Lewis, 17, of Jasper was taken into custody after being treated and released from a local hospital. As of 9 a.m., he was awaiting book-in at the Angelina County Jail on three counts of intoxication manslaughter with additional charges pending.
The accident occurred at 12 a.m. today on South First Street in front of Ralph & Kacoos and Cotton Patch.
Our preliminary investigation shows that Lewis was southbound on South First Street in a Honda sedan when he made a sudden lane change and was rear-ended by a Ford Bronco driven by Michael Allman, 24, of Lufkin.
Witnesses told officers that the Honda made a sudden and dramatic lane change to the left in front of the Bronco and that the Bronco could not avoid the crash.
Lewis’ car spun into the median and came to an abrupt stop.
Neither Lewis nor his six passengers were wearing seat belts. Lewis remained in the driver’s seat while his passengers came to rest in the back seat.
The three deceased were identified as Anastasia Gray, 19, of Carthage, Antownique Robertson, 18, of Carthage, and Xzavien Grimble, 20, of Jasper. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two others were critically injured and were flown to a Tyler hospital early this morning. They both remained hospitalized in Tyler as of 5:40 p.m.
Another passenger was treated and released from a local hospital.
As of this evening, Tyler Lewis remained in the Angelina County Jail on three counts of intoxication manslaughter. His bond had not been set as of 5:40 p.m.
Please pray for all the families affected by this incident.