April 7, 2022 - U.S. Highway 96 North was the scene of a two-vehicle crash April 1, 2022, from which several individuals were transported from the scene by ambulance.
When emergency personnel arrived at the scene of the crash, a passenger car and a truck hauling a trailer had come to rest on the southbound side of the highway.
While Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper investigated the incident, officers with the Tenaha Police Department, Constable Precinct 4, Shelby County Sheriff's Department and a volunteer fireman with the Center Fire Department provided traffic control.
According to the The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) the crash occurred approximately one-tenth of a mile north of County Road 4356.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 4:30pm, a grey 2014 Ford F-150 pickup truck towing a utility trailer was traveling north. It is reported that the driver of the pickup made an illegal U-turn on a hill in front of a silver 2011 Ford Focus SE passenger car, which was also traveling north. The Focus struck the pickup on its left side.
The driver and three passengers in the pickup were not injured. The driver is identified as Robert Lejeune, 49, of Nederland. Lejeune was issued a citation for making a U-turn on a curve or hill. The passengers include Colby Harris, 29; Brian Daniel, 21, and Ozzie Campos, 41.
The driver and passengers of the Focus were transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby County Emergency Department for treatment. The driver of the Focus is identified as Kassandra De La Cruz, 26, of Tenaha. The passengers include, Prudencia, 26, and one child passenger.
There is no additional information available at this time.
Both vehicles involved in the the crash were towed from the scene, and the incident was investigated by Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Daniel Dellenger.
