SMITH COUNTY, Texas — Officials have identified an East Texas man killed who was killed in a crash involving an alleged drunk driver in Smith County Friday, Sept. 8.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, around 11:10 p.m., troopers responded to a crash involving a truck and an SUV on SH 155, near Winona.
The preliminary investigation indicates an SUV, driven by Harry Collins III, 42, of Tyler, was driving north on SH 155. At the same time, a truck, driven by William Chaplinski, 22, of Big Sandy, was headed south on SH 155, crossed the center line in an attempt to pass another vehicle, and hit the SUV head-on. .
DPS says Chaplinski was intoxicated at the time of the crash,
Collins was pronounced dead at the scene. Chaplinksi was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
According to Smith County judicial records, Chaplinski was booked into the Smith County Jail on Saturday, Sept. 9, for the manslaughter charge, as well as for unauthorized use of a vehicle. He posted his $100,000 bond for the manslaughter charge, but judicial records show he is still in jail on the remaining charge with a bond of $500,000.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Collins' family with a goal of raising $10,000. According to the fundraiser, Collins was on his way to pick his son, who is a Winona ISD band member, after the Wildcats' game when the wreck occurred.
The investigation is ongoing.