September 21, 2021 - State Highway 87 South was the scene of a major two-vehicle collision Tuesday morning, September 21, 2021, sometime just before 6:50am.
Emergency responders including Shelbyville VFD and Sheriff's Department rushed to the scene to help those trapped inside a Jeep involved in the incident. Center Fire Department was immediately requested to the scene, as Jaws of Life was needed. Center Fire Department personnel worked diligently to cut through the vehicle to free those trapped inside. The roadway was blocked for several hours as emergency responders worked the scene.
The Jeep had collided with the rear of a log truck which was hauling a load.
According to information released by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Troopers investigated a fatal crash on the 9000 block of State Highway 87 just over four miles south of Shelbyville.
The preliminary investigation by Trooper David Shields indicates that at approximately 6:50am, a 2002 Freightliner truck-tractor semi-trailer was traveling north on SH 87, while a 2020 Jeep SUV was traveling behind it. The Jeep, for an unknown reason, struck the rear of the truck tractor semi-trailer.
The driver of the Freightliner has been identified as Steven Bennefield, 57, of San Augustine, and he was not injured.
The Jeep driver has been identified as Mianna Adair, 32, of Joaquin, and was transported to Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler for treatment. Her passenger, Chesney Grace Adair, 7, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2.
The crash remains under investigation, no additional information at this time.
Watson & Sons Funeral Home transported Chesney Grace Adair from the scene.
So much is expected of first responders when they arrive at a crash scene, and the community at large isn't always aware of the terrible circumstances they have to directly face when they help those in need.
Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department expressed enormous gratitude to the Center Fire Department for responding to the scene with Jaws of Life and other extrication tools to help.
