5-Month-Old Boy Dies Days After Gregg County Two-Vehicle Crash on State Highway 149

Gregg County, Texas (January 19, 2022) – The 5-month-old boy who was injured on January 13 in a two-vehicle crash that left a 2-year-old boy dead in Gregg County has died, according to the Texas DPS.

The fatal crash happened around 4:24 p.m., on State Highway 149, about three miles southeast of Lakeport.

DPS said Mercedes D. Cole, 24, of Longview, was driving a 2015 Nissan Versa southbound in the inside lane of the highway, and she had her turn signal activated to turn left into a Dollar General parking lot.

Hayden Matthew Malone, 21, of Tyler, was also driving a 2013 Volkswagen Passat southbound when he struck the Versa.

Cole and one of her passengers, a 7-year-old girl, were uninjured in the crash. They were both wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.

A 2-year-old boy in Cole’s car was airlifted to Ochsner LSU Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he later died.

Alan Jasso Cerna, 26, of Longview, who was a passenger in the Versa, was taken to CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview in serious condition.

A 4-year-old girl who was also in the Versa was also airlifted to Ochsner LSU Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, with critical injuries.

Another passenger in the Versa, a 5-month-old boy, was taken to CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview and then airlifted to Dallas Children’s Hospital in Dallas, where he later died.

Malone was taken to CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview, where he was treated and released into the custody of investigators. He was taken to the Gregg County Jail and has been charged with intoxicated manslaughter and three counts of intoxicated assault. His bond was set at $300,000.

The crash remains under investigation.

Common Causes of Automobile Accidents

There are many different reasons why automobile, 18-wheeler, and motorcycle accidents occur, including driver negligence, driver inattention, texting and driving, speeding, fatigue, failure to yield the right of way from a stop sign or private drive, running a red light, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While the factors listed above are the main causes of most accidents, there may also be other factors involved, which is why it’s important that an investigation be conducted before evidence disappears, especially in cases involving a fatality.  At Joel A. Gordon & Associates we will act quickly to secure accident scene photos, interview witnesses, obtain police records, and secure other valuable evidence needed to win your case.  Call now for a free consultation

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