Fatal Crash in Nacogdoches County Kills Four; Two from Shelby County

January 15, 2021 – Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a two-vehicle major crash this morning on US 59, about three miles north of Appleby on January 15.

The preliminary crash investigation indicates at approximately 3:30am, a 2011 Chevrolet SUV was traveling south and a 2017 Nissan passenger car was traveling north. For unknown reasons, the driver of the Chevrolet drove into the northbound lanes and struck the Nissan head-on.

The driver of the Chevrolet is identified as 63-year-old Ira Caraway from Tenaha. Caraway was pronounced deceased at the scene by a Nacogdoches County Justice of the Peace.

The driver of the Nissan is identified as 32-year-old Vanessa Sowell from Garrison. Sowell and two passengers identified as Damien Davis, 41, from Garrison and Christian Dodd, 31, from Center were also pronounced deceased at the scene by a Nacogdoches County Justice of the Peace.

This crash remains under investigation. Additional information is not available at this time.