Collision at Loop 500, Highway 7 Causes Traffic Delays

February 16, 2015 - A collision at the intersection of Loop 500 and State Highway 7 West caused traffic delays for many travelers as emergency personnel worked to investigate and clear the scene Sunday, February 15, 2015.

Officers with the Center Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department and Center Firemen quickly responded to the two-vehicle crash.

According to Center Police Officer Bobby Walker, at 12:39pm Derek Michael Hughes, 22, of Center was exiting Loop 500 in a black 2014 Dodge pickup truck and was turning left onto State Highway 7 West.

Hughes failed to yield right of way to Dennis Eugene Esch, 64, of Nacogdoches who was traveling eastbound in a blue Ford four-door pickup truck and the Ford struck the left side of the Dodge. The Dodge was spun around and came to rest facing south in the middle of the westbound traffic lanes and the Ford came to rest facing northeast in the westbound traffic lanes.

Only minor injuries were reported as a result of those crash and both drivers declined transport from the scene by ACE EMS.

Hughes was issued a citation for failure to yield right of way.