January 27, 2017 - Two vehicles collided with a horse on State Highway 87 North on Thursday, January 27 causing damage to both vehicles and proving fatal for the horse.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies were already en-route to the scene before the crashes occurred when it was reported there were horses on the roadway. When they arrived, that which they were seeking to prevent already had happened. Sheriff's Deputies Jeff Gogolewski and Ruth Gonzales marked the roadway at both ends of the scene and directed traffic during the Texas Department of Public Safety investigation.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, at around 7pm a 2013 Hyundai Sonata driven by Jennifer Tomkins, 25, of Center was southbound on SH 87 just under 2 1/2 miles north of Center when the Hyundai struck the horse which was in her lane, causing the Hyundai to travel to the right off the roadway and coming to rest in a ditch with major damage.
Fausto Tello, 44, of Center was traveling in a 2004 Ford Explorer behind Tomkins and was unable to avoid colliding with the horse which was still in the roadway. Tello was able to retain control of the vehicle and was able to pull off to the side.
Tomkins was transported by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene. The owner of the horse was not yet identified at the time of the crash.
