According to the Department of Public Safety one young man from Klondike was killed and several others, including a toddler were injured in a head-on collision on Toll Road 49 four miles south of Tyler, Texas on Saturday around 1:15 p.m.
KLTV reported the driver of the Mustang was traveling north bound while a Ford F150 truck was traveling south on the same toll road.
For reasons undetermined, the Mustang crossed into the opposite lane of traffic, striking the truck driver side to driver side.
Zachery Jester, 20-year old and Cooper High School Class of 2015 graduate – the sole occupant of the Mustang, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The identities of the four others in the pickup were not released with the driver transported to EMTC-Tyler. A female passenger along with a small child were also taken to ETMC-Tyler, reported by KLTV. A two-year-old child was air lifted to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.
Funeral services for Zach Jester will be Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017 at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Visitation will be Monday, Aug. 7, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Delta Funeral Home. Burial will follow funeral on Tuesday at New Klondike Cemetery.
Jester was a student at Texas A&M University-Commerce studying to be a physical therapist. He was an active member of Crimson River Cowboy Church, a member of the Commerce Chapter of Referees, an umpire for many levels of softball leagues, a volunteer and buddy for Brightstar Baseball, and a former intern and employee of Hulsey Therapy in Commerce.
“Still trying to process this loss. Again. Zach was among the very best of young men, loving and so very loved,” stated Cooper ISD Superintendent Denicia Hohenberger on Facebook. “Grateful to all who are praying and sharing words of comfort for Zach's sweet family and this hurting community. Our trust is in the Lord who gives us strength.”
This is the fourth graduate of the CHS Class of 2015 to die, all from vehicle accidents. In May 2016 was Logan Lair, June 2016 was Enrique Mendoza, and October 2016 David Colvin Jr.
The school has also recently been grieving the loss of student Brayden Withrow, a 16-year old killed in a single vehicle rollover near Sulphur Springs.
In November 2016 Texas Department of Transportation released this statistic: "Every day for the past 16 years, somebody has lost a spouse, child, friend or neighbor on Texas roadways," said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. "These deadly crashes are a sobering reminder that we must do everything in our power to stay focused and safe while driving."
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