SEVEN POINTS, Texas — UPDATE — A Scurry, Texas, man was killed and seven others were injured after a six-vehicle crash, many of which were motorcycles, on Saturday night following a motorcycle benefit event near Seven Points.
SEVEN POINTS, Texas — UPDATE — A Scurry, Texas, man was killed and seven others were injured after a six-vehicle crash, many of which were motorcycles, on Saturday night following a motorcycle benefit event near Seven Points.
According to preliminary crash investigation information from the Texas Department of Public Safety, a 32-year-old from Gun Barrel City was traveling eastbound on Farm-to-Market (FM) 85 in a Chevrolet Blazer behind an unknown vehicle. The Blazer struck the rear of the unidentified vehicle, spun into the westbound lanes, and struck two motorcycles head-on.
49-year-old Jarrod Reed, of Scurry, Texas, was driving a 1999 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he was struck. Reed, a long-time City of Kaufman Street Department employee, was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger on Reed's motorcycle, identified as 52-year-old Adelita Martinez, also of Scurry, was taken to a Tyler hospital in serious condition.
The unknown vehicle left the scene of the crash and is being sought by police. Investigators did not say what caused the to vehicles to collide.
A 2011 Harley Davidson, driven by 48-year-old Stephen Hamilton of Gun Barrel City, was also struck head-on. Hamilton and his passenger, identified as 39-year-old Candice Hinsley, also of Gun Barrel City, were both injured but not transported to a hospital.
Two other motorcyclist, driven by 32-year-old Cervando Valenzuela and 29-year-old Jose Valenzuela, both of Longview, Texas, took evasive action and laid down their motorcycles. Both Valenzuelas were injured. Cervando was not transported and Jose was taken to a Tyler hospital in serious condition. A passenger on Jose's motorcycle, identified as 34-year-old Sarah Fife of Kilgore was also injured and taken to a Tyler-area hospital.
The driver of the Blazer, identified as 32-year-old Robin Bice of Gun Barrel City, was taken to a hospital in Athens in serious condition. Two juvenile passengers in Bice's vehicle were not injured.
None of the motorcycle riders were wearing helmets, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
ORIGINAL — A major crash involving multiple motorcycles has Farm-to-Market (FM) 85 closed near Seven Points.
The crash reportedly follows the Run of the Lake three-day benefit motorcycle event at Cedar Creek Cossacks on FM 85.
Multiple motorcyclists have been airlifted from the scene, according to police radio traffic.
One person has been confirmed deceased, emergency personnel on scene tell inForney.com.
The road has been closed indefinitely while the Texas Department of Public Safety investigates the crash. A request for additional information has been made with DPS.
This is a developing story.
