SMITH COUNTY, Texas — One person is dead and another was arrested following a one-vehicle crash early Sunday morning in Smith County.
The Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) says troopers responded to a crash around 1:40 a.m. on SH 64 W. ,about two miles from Tyler.
According to the preliminary crash report, an SUV, driven by Justin Pierce, 29, of Tyler, was traveling west on SH 64 and hit a pedestrian, identified as Marissa July-McCuin, 18, also of Tyler, who was attempting to cross the roadway in the outside lane.
DPS says Pierce left the scene, but was later found.
Pierce was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released. McCuin was pounced dead by hospital staff around 3:50 a.m.
According to Smith County judicial records, Pierce was taken into custody for intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and causing an accident involving a death.
He is being held in the Smith County Jail on $500,000 bond.
The investigation is ongoing.