Shelby County Today

April 4, 2016 - Update: Damian Bolton, of Center, was also involved in a crash involving a pickup truck he was driving and a cow in the road, see related story here: Pickup Truck Collides with Cow on U.S. 96 South

April 4, 2016 - A major crash resulted from cattle in the roadway on April 2, 2016 resulting in a large quantity of diesel fuel spilling and U.S. Highway 96 South being blocked.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos April 2, 2016 at 8:40pm the Center Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Center Fire Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety were dispatched to U.S. Highway 96 at CR 2205 in reference to a major crash. 

Upon arrival it was found a 2011 white Peterbilt driven by Sesario Gonzales, Jr., 56, and owned by Pilot Thomas Logistics out of Oklahoma City transporting diesel fuel was traveling southbound on U.S. 96 in the area where a cow had been previously struck by an unknown vehicle. The Peterbilt struck the cow and swerved to the left causing the truck to overturn and begin sliding. 

The truck was towing a polar tank trailer with diesel fuel inside. As it was sliding southbound into the northbound U.S. 96 lanes, a tan 2013 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Amy Honey, 28, of Zavalla with her 64-year-old grandmother, 6-year-old boy, and 10-year-old boy, struck the roof of the cab of the Peterbilt trapping the driver inside. The vehicle came to rest with a large quantity; however, unknown amount, of diesel fuel spilling.

Center Fire Department performed the extrication of the driver from the Peterbilt with Jaws of Life, and was assisted by many of the emergency personnel in this endeavor. Jason Burch, with Hughes Wrecker Service, attached a winch to the underbelly of the truck to provide stability while Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Pete Davis, assisted by firemen and Trooper Ramos, attached the winch from his patrol truck to the rear of the Equinox.

Gonzales was extracted out of the vehicle and was taken by life flight to LSU Hospital in Shreveport where he is reported as being in stable condition. Honey and her passengers were all transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for unknown injuries and were released.

There were two deceased cattle on scene and the owner was located and determined to be W.C. Thompson of Center.

No citations have been issued at this time. 

East Texas Towing and Storage removed the Equinox from the scene. Hopkins Towing & Recovery were dispatched to the scene with three large wreckers to handle the wrecked 18-wheeler. They stationed two large trucks in the southbound traffic lane side of the highway and righted the 18-wheeler. Once it was back on its wheels, the third truck hooked to the Peterbilt to haul it away.

As of Sunday night, April 3, 2016 a hazardous material crew was still removing diesel fuel from the area and are expected to continue working to clean the area during the coming week.

Related article: Pickup Truck Collides with Cow on U.S. 96 South

April 3, 2016 - A vehicle nearly collided with a church building in Center on Friday, March 25, 2016 and following an investigation the driver was arrested.

According to the Center Police Department, at 5:44pm a 2000 silver Cadillac driven by Cedric Goodwin, 40, of Center was stopped on Noble Street at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive (MLK). A pickup truck was parked in a parking space in Mt. Zion church across from Noble Street. The Cadillac left from the stop sign on Noble Street, crossed MLK and went into the parking lot of the church striking the pickup truck.

No injuries were reported to have resulted to Goodwin or his child passenger.

It was determined Goodwin had been driving while intoxicated and he was arrested at the scene by Center Police Officer Steve Thornburgh for driving while intoxicated with child under the age of 15.

Update 11:53pm - A hazard material management team is finishing with cleaning up the diesel spill. The tanker truck has been uprighted and emergency responders are working to clear crash debri off the roadway. The fire department is still assisting with traffic. The majority of the roadway is back open to traffic. Please continue to use caution if traveling through the area.

Update 9:48pm - Some traffic is now being able to flow through one side at a time. Please use caution if traveling through the area and watch out for emergency workers. The Center Volunteer Fire Department is on scene assisting with traffic control.

April 2, 2016 - Shortly after 9pm Saturday, April 2, 2016 law enforcement have temporarily shutdown US 96 South just past the intersection of Loop 500 due to a tanker truck hauling diesel being involved in a crash. Please choose an alternate route at this time. A hazardous material management team is en route to clean up the diesel spill.

April 1, 2016 - As a result of recent flooding, an Individual Assistance Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment was recently performed  in Shelby County by a FEMA and Texas Health & Human Services Commission representative. This damage assessment is for potential add-on to the federal declaration DR-4266-TX. 

Shelby County residents who sustained damages to their homes as a result of the recent floods/storms are encouraged to register with FEMA. Register and apply for assistance by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or1-800-462-7585 (hearing impaired) or visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. Call center hours: are 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM CST

When you call or register online, FEMA will require the following items:

• Contact information (name, address, phone, and social security number)
• Insurance information
• Damage information (date of damage, description)
• Gross income

If residents in the flooded area are needing assistance with immediate needs, please contact Community Christian Services at 936-269-3006 for referrals and information on American Red Cross services.