4 killed, 1 injured after head-on car crash on Highway 31 East, Texas

Four people are dead and one person was injured after a head-on crash on Highway 31 East in Smith County, Texas on Sunday evening.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash took place around 4:45 p.m. on Highway 31 E. between County Road 245 and County Road 246, just west of Country Tavern.

The initial crash report shows the driver of a Nissan, identified as Marcellia Jones, 36, of Henderson, was moving east on Highway 31. The vehicle moved into the westbound lane and hit a Cadillac, driven by Genous Lee Jackson, 44, of Longview, head-on.

Jones was declared dead at the scene and was taken to a Tyler funeral home.

Jackson was admitted to a Tyler hospital.

Passengers in Jackson’s vehicle, Katashia Shari Porter, 34, of Arlington, a 3-year-old, and a 5-year-old were declared dead at the scene. Their bodies were admitted to a local mortuary.

Officials shut Highway 31 E. from the Tyler city limits to Farm-to-Market Road 757 due to the car crash.

The crash is currently under investigation.