June 22, 2017 - Emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene of a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 7 in the James Community which resulted in the death of a Center woman early Thursday, June 22, 2017.
Earlier in the night on Wednesday, June 21 the driver of an Isuzu involved in the crash had been traveling in another vehicle when she got stuck on CR 3215. She was returning in the Isuzu with help that was bringing a tractor to pull her own truck out when the crash occurred.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jimmy Faulkner, at 1:10am a silver 1988 Isuzu pickup truck driven by Vicki Thomas, 70, of Center was traveling east on State Highway 7 just past CR 3134 when the Isuzu traveled on the wrong side of the road and struck a grey 2015 Dodge Durango left front quarter panel to left front quarter panel. The Dodge was driven by Rebekah Simmones, 20, of Shelbyville with passenger William Stutts, 30.
The Isuzu came to rest on the eastbound shoulder facing south and the dodge came to rest on the westbound shoulder facing southwest.
Thomas succumbed to her injuries at the scene and was pronounced dead by Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1. She was transported from the scene by Mangum Funeral Home in Center.
Simmones and Stutts were both transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department where they were treated and released.
The Center Fire Department responded to the scene of the truck on CR 3215 where a brush fire had started along the roadside. They also helped to extricate Thomas from the Isuzu. Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies were on scene to assist.
