February 14, 2023 - State Highway 7 West was the scene of a three-vehicle crash Tuesday, February 14, 2023, what resulted in the death of one driver involved in the incident.
Emergency personnel with various agencies responded to the scene to come to the aid of those involved. The West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) and Center Fire Department responded and provided assistance to those involved, as well as to divert traffic at the scene.
All four lanes of traffic were shut down to allow for vehicles to be cleared and for Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers to investigate.
According to information released by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 6:40am, a white 2014 GMC Acadia SUV driven by Michelle Acosta, 22, of Center with a 1-year-old child passenger was traveling west. The GMC was followed by a red 2010 Hyundai passenger car driven by Belva Hartsfield, 72, of Lufkin while a white 2018 Chevrolet pickup driven by Travis Edds, 36, of Nacogdoches was traveling east.
It is reported that the driver of the GMC traveled into the oncoming lane and struck the Chevrolet. After impact, the Chevrolet skid into the west lane and was struck by the Hyundai.
Belva Hartsfield was pronounced deceased at Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.
Acosta was transported to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The 1-year-old child was not reported to have been injured and was transported from the scene by a family member.
Edds was not reported to have received injury.
This is an ongoing investigation and no further information is available.
TxDOT, WSCVFD and Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies continued to assist until the scene was clear while DPS Trooper Sgt. Aaron Shelton and Trooper Ashley White investigated the crash.
