December 30, 2022 - The intersection of SL 500 and State Highway 7 (SH7) East was the scene of a two-vehicle crash December 15, 2022.
While Center Police Officers investigated the crash, Center Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department personnel directed traffic at the scene to help prevent further incidents.
According to Center Police Officer Garrett Rocchi, at around 11am a white 2021 Toyota Tundra pickup truck driven by Kenneth Smith, 40, of Texarkana, Ark. was traveling southeast on SL 500 when he came to the intersection with SH 7 East where a poultry truck hauling chickens was turning left.
Smith proceeded into the intersection and at that time a 2020 Ford F-450 pickup truck driven by Holly Griffin, 46, of Joaquin was eastbound on SH 7 when she saw Smith entered the intersection; however, she was unable to stop in time and collided with the passenger side of the Toyota, causing major damage to both vehicles.
The Toyota spun through a stop sign before coming to rest just south of SH 7 on SL 500 and the Ford came to rest facing west on SH 7.
A tank in the bed of the Toyota carrying bait was ejected and came to rest beside the roadway spilling its contents.
Griffin was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby County Emergency Department for non life threatening injuries. Smith refused treatment at the scene.
No citations were issued at the time of the incident.
