Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Breaking News

Local News

Discussion

April 6, 2009

Weekend collision kills two in Kemp

One driver was on the wrong side of U.S. Highway 175, two witnesses attempted to stop the accident

By Art Lawler Staff Writer

KEMP — High drama unfolded tragically on U.S. Highway 175 late Sunday, ending with two witnesses, who had been desperately trying to help, watching helplessly as a fiery collision left two people dead.

In addition, one adult and four children were severely injured by the impact.

The drivers of the two vehicles were killed in the wreck near County Road 1391 and U.S. 175., near the Texas Highway 274 exit in the city limits of Kemp.

A woman driving a 2001 Kia SUV and traveling alone west on the wrong side of the highway, was extracted from her vehicle, even as her car became engulfed in flames, according to the accident report.

“It’s a tragic accident,” Kemp Police Chief Richard Clemmo said. “We have nothing to indicate that alcohol was involved, but we won’t know the true situation until we hear from the Dallas County Medical Examiners office.”

Clemmo said the 45-year-old Dallas woman was driving in the wrong lane for at least four miles. He said investigators are still trying to determine the cause for the woman being in the wrong lane.

Kaufman County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Mike Smith pronounced Vernon Ray Hamilton, 41, of Tyler — driver of a 2001 Lincoln Town Cruiser — dead at the scene.

Two adults and four children were in the Lincoln at the time of the wreck.

A motorist — who first called dispatch in Kaufman at 10:56 p.m. — turned around after nearly being struck himself by the woman’s SUV — and he followed the car parallel from the west side of the highway.

While doing so, he kept dispatch informed.

Both the caller and Kemp Police Officer Damon Smith witnessed the crash.

The two vehicles came together in the middle of a rise at 11:02 p.m, according to the Kemp Police Department’s report.

ETMC Gun Barrel City officials pronounced the unidentified woman dead after her arrival. Her identity was being withheld Monday evening, pending further notification of kin.

Smith, at the time of the collision, was trying to get in front of the oncoming car in an attempt to warn her and bring her to a stop.

Police and fire personnel from Kemp and Mabank extracted some of the victims from the Lincoln.

Others were found outside that vehicle.

Three of the children were taken to Children’s Hospital by helicopter.

Another child was taken by ground ambulance to the Parkland Hospital along with the female passenger in the Lincoln.

The Texas Department of Public Safety was also dispatched to the site and assisted the Kemp Police Department in the investigation.

Text Only
Local News
  • DSC_0043.JPG Slide Show- Old Fiddlers Reunion The Fiddlers Reunion is in full swing around the Athens Courthouse. Final winners and street dance Friday night. Photos by Kathi Nailling

    May 25, 2012

  • Fiddler's1.JPG Fiddlers firing up

    You can get on out of that bed now, and get yourselves down to the courthouse square.
    The fiddlers are firing up, and they'll be going until the clock strikes 12 with the street dance, as the 81st Annual Old Fiddlers Reunion gets into high gear.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • Rachaelle Browning.jpg Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    The Athens High School Valedictorian of 2012 is Rachaelle Browning. She is the daughter of Wes and Jan Browning. Rachaelle will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2012 and plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
    Rachaelle has participated in various extracurricular activities throughout high school in preparation for a career in engineering.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • At the start.JPG 3rd annual Hornet Fun Run continues through today

    Fourth graders participated Thursday in the 3rd Annual Hornet Fun Run at the Cain Center.  Above is the beginning, when the children would run one mile.  At left, Isaac Garcia is shown taking overall first place.  Second place honors for boys went to Armondo Garcia, and Third place Case Friedrich.  Girls first place was Taylor Stiles, second place Veronica Campa and third place honors went to Semia Brazier. See those that placed, both boys and girls, on Page 14. The fifth grade will run today.

    May 24, 2012 4 Photos

  • Witnesses aid in suspects’ capture

    Timing is everything, and one would-be burglar apparently didn't have it during a burglary at a home on North Murchison Street near Athens.
    Witnesses saw the burglary as it was happening, and one homeowner, Billy Stewart, fired three rounds at the burglar, as he was driving off his property with a stolen yellow 4-wheeler.

    May 24, 2012

  • Ariel Reeder.JPG Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    Ariel Reeder and Sam Harrell have been chosen respectively as Valedictorian and Salutatorian of Athens Christian Preparatory Academy.  More will be announced from other area schools in future issues.

    May 23, 2012 2 Photos

  • Mayor.JPG GBC mayor official after vote canvassing

    GUN BARREL  CITY — It's official now.
    There's a new mayor in Gun Barrel City, thanks to the canvassing of votes at Tuesday night's regularly-scheduled city council meeting.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • VocalTrashinKaufman (3).JPG Recycled art gets attention

    Last Saturday, the Lost Treasures Found Art Event, held in the Kaufman Town Square,  gave people a chance to see real examples of exactly how items we might typically throw out, could be used in a new way or recycled into art that could be treasured for a lifetime instead.
     

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Alexis #2.JPG Dogs waiting for homes


    The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is proud to spotlight four dogs and  one puppy this week in their never ending quest to find “furrever” homes for pets.
     Alexis is a  one and half year old white female small husky/Spitz mix. She is spayed, housebroken and good with kids but needs to be the only dog, or time to adjust to other dogs. Alexis was at the shelter for 3 months and is now in a foster home, waiting for her new family. She is very playful, loves her squeaky toys and has a lot of energy. 

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_0030.JPG SLIDE SHOW -Cedar Creek Women's Club fashion show Bealls Department Store in Gun Barrel City held a fashion show for the women who attended the monthly luncheon at Cedar Creek Country Club.

    May 23, 2012