Released by Smith County:

The cost of vehicle accidents can be high, not just economically, but personally as well. One out of every 100 pursuits results in death. Four out of every 10 pursuits results in collision. The Texas Association of Counties (TAC) is working with Smith County this week to help reduce the risk of collisions among county drivers through an innovative driving simulator.

TAC’s driving simulator offers professional county drivers the opportunity to experience real-world driving conditions in a high tech environment that replicates situations drivers may actually encounter while on the road.

Released by the City of Tyler:

Lighting the way for drivers and pedestrians, streetlights are vital to our everyday lives. With approximately 400,000 streetlights across the Oncor system, it is important for citizens to help identify lights that are malfunctioning or in need of repair so they can be repaired as soon as possible.

Pedestrians should use proper safety precautions when street lights aren’t working.

To report streetlight outages online go to https://www.oncorstreetlight.com, email contactcenter@oncor.com, or call 1-888-313-4747.

Released by MADD East Texas:

 In Judge Russell’s court in Smith County Joe Rogers was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the April 10, 2011 crash that killed Geneva Townsend (88) and Jane Bohanon (81). Rogers had a BAC of .21 following the crash.

Geneva & Jane were on their way home on a Sunday evening from church. Geneva’s daughter, Joyce Vick, testified that Geneva was a member of one of the churches that burned in the string of arsons recently and was so excited & looking forward to seeing her church rebuilt. Sadly, she never got to see her beloved church rebuilt.

Jane Bohanon, Geneva’s passenger, died several hours later due to the injuries sustained in the crash. Carl Bohanon, Jane’s son, testified how difficult it was to receive the news of his mother’s crash…on his birthday.