Taylor Raper Killed, Alfonso Medina and Rachel Bice Injured in Van Zandt County Two-Vehicle Crash on FM 1651

Van Zandt County, Texas (December 21, 2021) – One person was killed, and two others were injured Friday morning in a head-on crash in Van Zandt County, according to the Texas DPS.

The fatal crash happened around 10:10 a.m., December 17, on Farm-to-Market Road 1651, about 10 miles south of Canton.

DPS said Alfonso Medina, 17, of Canton, was driving a pickup truck westbound on the highway while Taylor Raper, 18, of Canton, was driving eastbound.

Medina recognized Raper’s car and knew her as an acquaintance. He then swerved over the center stripe divider toward Raper’s car in an attempt to scare her, and that’s when he struck Raper’s car.

Raper was taken to a Tyler hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Medina and passenger, Rachel Bice, 22, of Canton, were taken to a local hospital in serious condition.

Medina has been charged with manslaughter and providing a false statement to law enforcement officers. He has been booked into the Van Zandt County detention center.

A GoFundMe has been created to help Raper’s family.

The crash remains under investigation.

We pass our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Taylor Raper. We also wish Alfonso Medina and Rachel Bice quick recoveries.

“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.