Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Shana Clark said Tuesday that troopers are still working to identify a deceased driver who was involved in a Sunday pre-dawn crash in Newton County. Meanwhile, Newton County Sheriff Robert Burby has confirmed that the truck that the fatality occurred in was reported stolen in Jasper County.
It happened shortly after 5:00 on Farm to Market Road 363 near County Road 3510 in the Bleakwood Community.
Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Shana Clark said that a 1996 Chevrolet pickup truck, which had been reported stolen, was traveling eastbound and a 2022 Ford pickup truck was traveling westbound. Sergeant Clark said the two trucks collided head-on in the middle of the highway.
The driver of the Chevrolet was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Ford, Phillip Jarrell, 51, and his passenger, Denver Jarrell, 29, both of Burkeville, were transported to St Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. A family member later said that Denver Jarrell was treated and released, while Phillip Jarrell suffered a broken back and required surgery.