August 6, 2023 - A Center man lost his life in an automobile crash involving a car he was test driving on August 5, 2023, on U.S. Highway 96 North.
The vehicle was around a mile from the car dealership when the incident happened, and after that, emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene just south of the intersection with SL 500.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), State Troopers investigated the crash and the preliminary crash investigation indicates at approximately 9:10am, a black 2023 Dodge Challenger passenger car driven by Michael Whisenant, 45, of Center was traveling north when it failed to drive in a single lane and drove off the roadway to the left where it struck a tree and ejected the driver.
Whisenant was pronounced deceased at the scene by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1. Watson & Sons Funeral Home transported Whisenant from the location of the crash.
DPS reports the crash remains under investigation and no additional information is available at this time.
The crash was investigated by DPS Trooper Keith Jones, assisted at the scene by Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies Misty Ray and Jud Matthews.
