August 4, 2015 - The intersection of State Highway 7 East and new Loop 500 West was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 9:55am.
When emergency personnel arrived, they began checking the condition of driver's and passengers involved in the crash. Once ACE EMS was on scene, it was determined the driver of a Pontiac needed treatment and she was transported from the scene.
According to Center Police Officer Jake Gross, a silver 2008 Toyota Sienna driven by Ronald Smith, 69, of Many, La. was crossing from the old Loop 500 to the newly opened section at State Highway 7 East traveling northbound.
Loretta Wheles, 36, of La. was traveling west driving a gold 2005 Pontiac Grand Am toward Center on State Highway 7 when Smith failed to yield right of way at the stop sign and drove in front of Wheles. This caused the Grand Am to strike the passenger side of the Sienna.
ACE EMS transported Wheles from the scene to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of minor injuries. Smith and his passenger Susan Smith, 65, received no injury. Smith was cited for failure to yield right of way at a stop sign.
This is the first official crash since the new section of Loop 500 was opened. A crash occurred on the new Loop 500 section on April 30, 2015 when a truck-tractor failed to yield right of way to a vehicle crossing on FM 699. Some roadways no longer have right of way as they once did and drivers are urged to use caution when meeting new Loop 500 from adjacent roadways.
