August 19, 2022 - State Highway 7 East was the scene of a two-vehicle crash incident Thursday, August 18, 2022, which has resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
When emergency personnel arrived at the scene four miles northeast of Center, located between Moodyville and James Communities, a utility truck was parked on the eastbound shoulder with its stabilisers deployed where a crew was working to install utility poles. An 18-wheeler was further up the roadway and its trailer was missing its rear axle. One of the crewmen had been injured and was beside the truck.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) the preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 8:35am, a 2013 Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer was eastbound. It is reported that a white 2021 Freightliner truck tractor utility truck was parked on the east shoulder with a pedestrian standing next to it when a white 2013 Freightliner driven by Ricardo Cortes, 40, of Houston failed to drive in a single lane and struck the pedestrian and the utility truck.
The pedestrian identified as Ethan Strother, 19, of Markville, La., was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.
This is an ongoing investigation and there is no additional information available at this time.
The crash investigation was led by Trooper Dustin Ramos, assisted by Trooper Sgt. Aaron Shelton.
Also assisting at the scene were Constables with Precinct 5 and Precinct 2, as well as Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies. Allegiance EMS, Center Fire Department personnel and Timpson Volunteer Fire Department personnel assisted with traffic control.
