January 28, 2026 - Emergency responders with the Center Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Department responded to a two-vehicle crash incident on State Highway 7 East just east of SL 500 on January 24, 2026.
Acording to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 3:30am, a 2014 Kia Sorento driven by Ladonna Martin, 38, of Center and a 2006 Chevrolet 1500 driven by Luis Bacilio, 19, of San Augustine were traveling east. It is reported that Martin was distracted in her vehicle by a child, failed to control her speed, and struck the rear of the Chevrolet.
Martin was not injured. Her two passengers, a two-year-old child and a one-year-old child, were transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Bacilio was not injured and was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor offense, after the crash.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
Sheriff's Deputies and fire depaertment personnel assisted at the scene until the vehicles had been towed from the scene and it was clear.
