John Paul Wilkins Injured in Fatal Smith County Two-Vehicle Crash at FM 757 and FM 2767

Smith County, Texas (December 30, 2020) – Four people were killed, and two others were injured in a two-vehicle crash Monday morning in Smith County, according to the DPS.

The fatal crash happened around 11:25 a.m., December 28, at the intersection of FM 757 and FM 2767.

According to a preliminary investigation, Juan Manuel Villanueva, 26, of Overton, was driving a pickup southbound on FM 757 when he failed to yield the right of way and entered into the path of a truck-tractor that was heading eastbound on FM 2767, resulting in a collision.

Villanueva was taken to UT Health in Tyler in serious condition.

Four passengers in Villanueva’s vehicle, Sara Vasquez, 53, of Overton, a 13-year-old girl and 15- and 17-year-old boys, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The truck-tractor driver, John Paul Wilkins, 53, of Gladewater, was taken to UT Health in serious condition.

The crash remains under investigation.

“When a person has suffered a grave personal injury in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, the most overwhelming emotion they feel is a sense of injustice. They often ask how such a life-altering event could have happened to them,” attorney Joel A. Gordon said. “The next question usually is, who can help me?” Mr. Gordon added.

A legal advocate can represent an injury victim or the family of a deceased victim. The attorney will file a claim on behalf of the victim and will have the responsibility of citing existing codes, laws or statutes which were violated.

To speak with an attorney, Click to call: 281-943-5555.