PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating a fatal crash that took place in Port Arthur on Sunday.
Troopers responded to the eastbound lanes of Highway 73 in Port Arthur shortly after 10:30 a.m. The crash took place near the Veolia North America Treatment Complex.
An initial investigation revealed that a 2007 Peterbilt truck tractor semi-trailer and 2012 Chrysler passenger car were travelling east. The Chrysler was behind the Peterbilt.
Traffic slowed due to a wide load that was in front of both of the vehicles. The Chrysler failed to control its speed and struck the Peterbilt from behind.
The driver of the Peterbilt was not injured. The driver of the Chrysler was taken to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth for treatment.
There were two passengers involved. One passenger was taken to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth for treatment.
Another passenger, Yavonne Mayes, 19, of Houston, was pronounced dead at the scene by a justice of the peace.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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From a Texas DPS release:
JEFFERSON COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is investigating a fatal crash on state Highway 73, just east of Country Club Road, occurring today, March 27, 2022.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 10:35 a.m., a 2007 Peterbilt truck tractor semi-trailer was traveling east followed by a 2012 Chrysler passenger car. It is reported that traffic was slowed due to a wide load traveling east in front of the vehicles when the passenger car failed to control her speed and struck the rear of the semi-trailer.
The driver of the truck tractor was not injured.
The driver of the passenger car was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment. There were two passengers. One was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment and another was pronounced deceased on scene by a Justice of the Peace.
The investigation remains ongoing and there is no additional information available at this time.