Shelbyville Student Loses Life in Tragic Crash; Student's Name Released

May 16, 2017 Update (DPS Press Release) - As a result of the crash involving the Shelbyville ISD school bus, Victor Lee, 13, of Shelbyville, was pronounced deceased yesterday at a Nacogdoches Hospital.

The driver of the 1997 Dodge truck has been identified as Courtland Vaughn, 20, from Shelbyville, TX. Vaughn was not reportedly injured as a result of the crash. Marla Denby, 53, of Shelbyville was identified as the driver of the school bus and was treated at a local hospital for her injuries.

Several other students involved in the crash were transported to area hospitals.

This investigation remains ongoing.


May 15, 2017 - Tragedy has struck the Shelbyville area as a crash incident involving a school bus in Lout Town has resulted in the death of a student.

Emergency personnel and school officials all responded to the scene of the incident to provide support for the students involved in the wreck. Once the students exited the bus, they were moved to a nearby county road where anyone injured could be treated.

Civilians first on scene offered assistance with returning the school bus to an upright position. Quickly thereafter, emergency personnel provided immediate medical attention to the child who later lost his life.

Upon arrival, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Renfro began working with others including Marsha Cooper, with the US Forest Service, to perform CPR on the child when EMS arrived. Jud Matthews, Shelbyville ISD Police Chief, continued working with him as he was transported to the ACE EMS ambulance.

Center Fire Department and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department arrived on scene to provide additional support with the victims of the crash and with traffic control while the area became quickly flooded with family members of the students, community members and additional school representatives. Constable Pct 2, Jamie Hagler was also on scene assisting.

While DPS Troopers Keith Jones, Jimmy Faulkner and John Hallenbeck worked to investigate the incident, ambulances carrying additional medical personnel from the surrounding counties of San Augustine and Sabine County rolled out with students being transported for unknown injuries or to be evaluated for the possibility of injury, as a precaution.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Kevin Windham was already on scene when Sheriff Willis Blackwell arrived with additional units. Chief DJ Dickerson, who is also a licensed EMT, went to help see to the needs of the students stationed on the county road.

Vail and Son Wrecker Service and Williams Wrecker Service assisted in removing the truck and bus from the scene.

Until all students were clear of the location, school officials remained on site.

According to a press release issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, (DPS) Troopers are investigating the crash on FM 139 at County Route 2552.

At approximately 4 p.m., a Shelbyville Independent School District bus was turning right from FM 139 onto CR 2552 to travel south when it was struck from behind by a 1997 Dodge pickup. The collision caused the school bus to turn over, resulting in the death of an 11-year-old boy and injuring several students.

The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available.