March 20, 2018 - U.S. Highway 96 just north of SL 500 outside of Center was the scene of a crash incident Tuesday, March 20, 2018 involving two truck tractors and resulting in one catching on fire.
Center Fire Department firemen were first dispatched to the location where it was reported a vehicle had flipped over and was on fire. Center Police Officers and ACE EMS were also dispatched to the incident.
It was reported to Shelby County Today by an eyewitness, a southbound driver exited his vehicle, broke a window on the flaming vehicle and rescued the driver.
According to information released by the Texas Department of Public Safety, State Troopers investigated a two-vehicle major crash this morning on U.S. Highway 96 about one mile north of Center.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates approximately 10am a red 2006 Kenworth truck semi-trailer transporting timber was traveling north on U.S. 96 in the inside lane. A white 2012 Freighliner was also traveling north on U.S. 96 in the outside lane.
The 2006 Kenworth reportedly changed lanes when unsafe causing the 2012 Freightliner to drive off the roadway to the right where it struck a tree, overturned and caught fire.
Driver of the Kenworth is identified as Daniel Stanley, 53, of Huntington and the driver of the Freightliner was identified as Robert Jones.
Jones was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of his injuries.
The crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
