LUFKIN, TX (07/19/2015) — 22-year-old James-Lee Marina was killed, and 27-year-old Michael Robert Mariana was injured, in a single vehicle rollover crash in Lufkin, Texas.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in Angelina County has confirmed that passenger James-Lee Marina, 22, was killed, and passenger Michael Robert Mariana, 27, was injured on Sunday following a single vehicle crash on Highway 69 near FM 706 (Sand Road) in Lufkin, Texas.
The preliminary crash report indicates that shortly before 6:30 a.m., a 2008 Dodge Nitro was traveling southbound on Highway 69 when the vehicle veered to the left, crossed the highway, and left the roadway, causing it to hit a culvert, rollover, and strike a few trees.
James Marina was not wearing a seat belt at the time and was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Billy Ball.
Michael Mariana was flown to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler for treatment.
According to the DPS, the driver of the Nitro was identified as 29-year-old Daniel Lee Martin, who was believed to be intoxicated. He was taken to a nearby area hospital for a blood test; he has since been released.
Martin was taken to the Angelina County Jail on charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault.
This accident remains under investigation.
