November 27, 2015 - A single-vehicle crash on State Highway 7 has resulted in the death of one man and left another in critical condition.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Pete Davis was dispatched to the scene, as well as the West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) and Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers.
When the emergency personnel arrived, a car was on its roof in the middle of the eastbound traffic lanes and one occupant from the vehicle had been ejected. Another remained in the car.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) report, on November 27, 2015 at 1:35am a red 2007 Chevrolet driven by Jamie Pena-Lobato, 32, was traveling east on State Highway 7 1.5 miles east of Martinsville, when the vehicle left the roadway to the right and struck a tree head-on.
Pena-Lobato's passenger, Bicente Fernandez, was ejected from the vehicle into the woods, and upon striking the tree, the car flipped over and came to rest in the middle of the roadway on its roof facing the woods. At the time of the crash, Pena-Lobato was wearing a seatbelt; however, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, at 3:10am. No autopsy was ordered at the scene by Judge Eaves on the unattended death. Pena-Lobato was transported from the scene by Mangum Funeral Home of Center.
Although a life-flight was requested, conditions were not favorable and Fernandez was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. He was later transported to UT Tyler for treatment of his incapacitating injuries, and remains in critical condition.
It was unclear at the scene where Pena-Lobato and Fernandez were from; however, it was suspected they could live in Nacogdoches or Center.
The WSCVFD directed traffic and remained until the roadway was clear. The crash was investigated by Texas DPS Trooper Taylor Buster, assisted by Texas DPS Trooper Keith Jones. The crash remains under investigation at this time.
