Driver In Stolen Truck Crashes Into SUV In Downtown Lufkin

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 30, 12:30 P.M.

Lufkin Police have issued an updated report concerning yesterday's 2-vehicle accident in downtown Lufkin, which tragically has led to the death of a Pollok woman. Morgan Wright, 40, died Monday evening in a Tyler hospital from injuries sustained in the wreck. She was flown to a Tyler hospital following the two-vehicle wreck at East Frank Avenue and North Third Street around 1 p.m. Monday.

Prior to the wreck, Trinity County law enforcement reported a stolen Chevrolet truck, possibly being driven by a 16-year-old Trinity County man, near the Lufkin Mall on South First Street. Lufkin Police identified the truck at the mall and attempted to stop it. The driver fled in the stolen truck, north into downtown. At the intersection of North Third St. and Frank Ave., the stolen truck collided with Wright’s Ford Explorer, which was traveling west on Frank Avenue.

The 16-year-old driver was released from a Lufkin hospital Monday afternoon and is currently being held in the Angelina County Juvenile Detention Center. The Texas Department of Public Safety is conducting a criminal investigation and will determine the appropriate charges against the juvenile. As is customary in cases where a pursuit results in the death of any person, Lufkin Police have begun an internal affairs investigation.

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Why Was The Vehicles Being Followed?

According to the report, the Trinity County Sheriff's Department had reported a stolen Chevrolet truck was being driven by a 16-year-old youth from Trinity County, possibly near the Lufkin Mall on South First Street. Lufkin Police identified the truck at the mall and began to follow it.

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Details On The Downtown Wreck

The driver of the reportedly stolen pickup truck led police on a chase northward towards downtown Lufkin. As the pursuit continued, the truck entered downtown and headed down Third Street. At the intersection of Third Street and Frank Street, the stolen truck collided with a Ford Explorer traveling west on Frank Street.

Police apprehended the teenage driver of the truck, and he was transported to a local hospital to treat his injuries. He has since been released from the hospital and booked into the Angelina County Jail.

The person driving the Ford Explorer is a 40-year-old woman from Pollok. She received substantial injuries and was also transported to a local hospital. Her condition has not been released as of this posting.

The accident shut down the intersection for several hours and knocked out the traffic light. Third Street will be closed between Frank Avenue and Groesbeck for a few weeks, pending repairs by TxDOT. Please use alternate routes and exercise caution in the area.