Four killed in Cherokee County wreck

NEW SUMMERFIELD – Four people were pronounced dead at the scene of a wreck on U.S. Highway 79 in New Summerfield Saturday, while a fifth is listed in critical condition at a Tyler hospital.

According to a DPS release, Katherine June Johnson, 80, of Sage, Arkansas, and Jacksonville residents Ronald Lewis Williams, 52, and Ariana Lashell Richardson, 21, along with a female infant, were pronounced dead at the scene by Cherokee County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Judge Brenda Dominy.

Bobby G. Johnson, 83, of Sage, Arkansas, was transported to UT-Health – Tyler and is listed in critical condition.

Troopers responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash at 1:20 p.m. Saturday, April 24, inside New Summerfield city limits.

According to a preliminary report, a 2006 Chevrolet Impala driven by Williams, with passengers Richardson and the infant, was traveling west along US 79.

A 2007 Saturn Relay towing a utility trailer, driven by Johnson, with Katherine June Johnson as passenger, was traveling east along the highway, when, “for an unknown reason, the driver of the Chevrolet crossed into the eastbound lane and struck head on with the Saturn.”

The crash remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time, said DPS officials.