SMITH COUNTY, Texas — UPDATE: Chapel Hill ISD has released the name of the 14-year-old killed in a five-vehicle crash in Smith County.
Fernando Martinez, a freshman at Chapel Hill High School, was killed along with Julia Martinez, 33.
"Every student contributes in no small measure to the community we create here at Chapel Hill ISD," Chapel Hill ISD Superintendent Lamond Dean said in a statement. "The loss of any student, particularly in such a tragic manner, grievously wounds us all."
Dean says the school will implement a plan for "responding to this tragic event focused on helping our students and their families get back to regular learning and everyday activities as soon as possible."
Counseling is available to students.
"Thank you for your support of our school system as we work together to cope with Fernando’s death," Dean said. "We know you will join us in our concern and sympathy for the family."
Two others were also injured in the crash.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, around 3:10 p.m. on Tuesday, troopers responded to a crash involving multiple vehicles about four miles east of Tyler.
DPS reports the driver of a 2015 Nissan Altima was traveling east on SH-31, followed by the driver of a 2013 Ford F-150 and a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. At the same time, the driver of a 2007 Dodge Ram was traveling westbound on SH-31, followed by the driver of a 2017 Ford F-150.
For an unknown reason, DPS says the driver of the 2015 Nissan Altima slowed, causing the 2013 Ford F-150 to "take evasive action." The 2013 Ford F-150 side-swiped the 2015 Nissan Altima as it passed on its right side.
DPS says the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche then struck the 2015 Nissan Altima from behind causing it to travel into the westbound lane where it was hit by a 2007 Dodge Ram. The 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche then traveled into the westbound lane where it hit the 2017 Ford F-150.
The driver of the 2015 Nissan Altima was identified as Julia R. Martinez, 33, of Tyler. She and Fernando Martinez were pronounced dead at the scene. They were taken to Light House Mortuary in Tyler.
The driver of the 2007 Dodge Ram was identified as 30-year-old Dillon M. Dowdy, of Tyler. Dowdy was transported to taken to a Tyler hospital and is stable.
The driver of the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche was identified as Tanya R. Garza, 36, of Van. Garza was transported to a Tyler hospital and is stable.
The driver of the 2013 Ford F-150, identified as John Kincheloe, 32, of Tyler, and the driver of the 2017 Ford F-150, identified as Billy Walker, Jr., 48, of Tyler were not injured in the crash.
The investigation is ongoing.
