LUFKIN, TX (10/25/2016) — A car crash in Lufkin on Tuesday afternoon has claimed the life of Juanita Hernandez and injured Dee Alan.
According to the Lufkin Police Department (LPD), 56-year-old Juanita Hernandez (of Lufkin) was killed in a two-vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of Loop 287 (Ellen Trout Drive) and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Lufkin, Texas.
The LPD reported that 59-year-old Armando Zamora was driving a gold 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix on Loop 287 when he turned left on MLK in order to enter the Ellen Trout Zoo driveway. As Zamora crossed the westbound lanes of traffic, he pulled into the path of a 2001 Toyota Tacoma—driven by 27-year-old Dee Mark Alan (of Center)—causing a T-bone accident.
“This particular cross over is up to state safety standards. Unfortunately this sort of accident when it is broadsided, and one has right of way and one should be yielding, it takes the part of the motorist to stop and really be careful,” said Lufkin District Public Information Officer Rhonda Oaks.
Hernandez, a passenger in Zamora’s Grand Prix, did not survive the accident. Both Zamora and Alan were taken to East Texas Medical Center. Zamora is intensive care; Alan was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
An investigation is ongoing.
Commentary
Tragically, this is the second fatal accident at this very same intersection in less than a week. In fact, the circumstances are almost identical to Saturday’s fatal wreck. Can something be done to make this section of Ellen Trout safer? If you have thoughts on the matter and would like to voice your concerns, we urge you to reach out to city officials.
To those affected by both of these tragic accidents, we offer our deepest condolences.
