October 1, 2015 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) state troopers, Center police officers, and Center firemen were dispatched to a three-vehicle major crash at US Highway 96 North and State Loop 500 at 8:27 am Thursday, October 1, 2015.
According to DPS State Trooper Dustin Ramos, upon arrival on scene three vehicles were found to be involved: a blue Dodge truck owned by Craig Crocker, a white Ford van owned by Light and Champion Newspaper, and a black Ford truck owned by Pro-Log Inc. timber company, New Iberia, Louisiana.
The blue Dodge truck driven by Craig Crocker, 26 of Center, was southbound on US 96 with passenger Jarvis Taylor, also age 26, and was attempting to make a left-hand turn onto State Loop 500. The truck failed to yield right-of-way entered the pathway of a black 2012 Ford truck driven by Allen Wood, 57 of Center.
The black Ford truck struck the Dodge's front right quarter causing it to spin. The Ford traveled off the roadway into the woods and struck multiple trees before coming to a stop. Upon the Dodge truck spinning, it was struck on the driver side middle by a white 1999 Ford van driven by Marcus Haltom, of Center, who was traveling northbound on US 96. The Dodge came to rest in the middle of the roadway with extensive damage. The van came to rest just inside the roadway on the northbound side.
Center police and firemen assisted on scene with traffic control. Firemen used the jaws-of-life to extract Wood from his vehicle and ACE EMS provided emergency care on scene to all involved in the crash.
Craig Crocker was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Clinic and was soon life-flighted to ETMC in Tyler in critical condition. Allen Wood was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Clinic with minor injuries. Marcus Haltom was released on scene with minor injuries.
The crash is being investigated by DPS State Trooper Dustin Ramos and Cpl. Jimmy Faulkner. There were items located in Crocker's vehicle which are still under investigation and are pending charges at this time.
