Tyler

From Staff Reports

Rain created hazardous driving conditions on roadways across east Texas Monday, resulting in multiple traffic accidents, including one that killed a Dallas man.

Jermain Seets, a 28-year-old truck driver, died when his SUV slammed into the back of a parked wrecker on the side of Interstate 20 near mile marker 558, according to a report by Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Frank Bonilla.

"The wrecker was legally parked assisting troopers at the scene of another accident," the report states.

At around 11 a.m., Seets lost control of his 1998 Toyota 4Runner and struck a 2002 Ford pickup that was also headed eastbound on I-20. After striking the pickup, Seets lost control of the SUV for a second time and spun into the back of an unattended, 199 flatbed tow truck that was parked on the side of I-20.

Seets was pronounced dead at the scene by Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace James Cowen at 11:16 a.m. No other injuries were reported in the wreck.

With the rain came more car accidents. A second major crash was reported Monday morning along U.S. Highway 69 at Bullard, involving a cement truck and a vehicle.

Later that day, two more crashes occurred along I-20 near Texas Highway 110 North. One left an 18-wheeler mangled, and the other damaged a car.

Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Tyler Police Department officers worked more than 10 traffic accidents in the city.

No injuries were reported in a two-vehicle accident involving a Tyler Police Department patrol car at the intersection of Front Street and Bonner Avenue.

Sgt. Tommy Lewis with the Tyler Police Department said the 30-year-old driver of a white Buick was headed west on Front Street while the police officer was at a light southbound on Bonner Avenue, attempting to turn left onto Front Street when the collision occurred.

The man driving the Buick was cited for running a red light.

The man indicated to police that he tried to stop but slid into the intersection, striking the police vehicle, Lewis said.

The officer, Brad Smith, was not injured nor was the driver of the Buick.

Lewis said he believed that the wet roads contributed to the accident.

A mangled 18-wheeler sits on Interstate 20 after rain and wet roads caused it to wreck.
((Staff Photo By Steve Knight))