Tyler

By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer

Tyler Police are investigating what they believe to be an instance of taunting and racing between two vehicles that led to a near-fatal crash.

Investigators determined that a Chevy Silverado, driven by a 17 year-old Robert E. Lee student, and a Honda Civic driven by a 16-year-old Lee student were both traveling eastbound on Loop 323 and were racing, according to several witnesses.

The 16-year-old driver lost control of his Honda Civic, hitting the median going airborne, striking a Honda Accord head-on traveling westbound on Loop 323, according to Don Martin, Tyler Police public information officer. The Accord was driven by Brenda White, 54, who was taking her 16-year-old granddaughter, Emily White, to Robert E. Lee High School, Martin said.

The occupants of the vehicles involved in the accident were transported to Trinity Mother Francis Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. Brenda White was listed in fair condition, and the other two were listed in good condition Friday afternoon. The driver of the Chevy Silverado left the scene of the accident and was contacted by police investigators after he was identified.

Martin said that the drivers of the Civic and pickup truck were seen near Toys ‘R’ Us mouthing with each other, and then taking off from the red light at the Loop 323 intersection with Donnybrook Road at a high rate of speed.

Both the driver of the Honda Civic and the pickup truck could possibly face multiple charges, including felony counts of assault with a motor vehicle, and racing on a highway.

Updated Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. CST

(Staff photo by Jaime R. Carrero)