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Tyler, TX – Julia Martinez & Teen Lose Life in TX-31 Crash

by | Nov 12, 2021 | Wrongful Death | 0 comments

Tyler, TX (November 12, 2021) – Two people have lost their lives following a motor vehicle accident outside of Tyler, Texas on Tuesday, November 9. At around 3:10 p.m., authorities were notified that their assistance was needed on-site at a crash on Texas State Highway 31.

Reports from local news sources show that 33-year-old Julia Martinez was driving a 2015 Nissan Altima east on Texas State Highway 31. The vehicle was being followed by a 2013 Ford F-150, driven by 32-year-old John Kincheloe, and a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, driven by 36-year-old Tanya Garza.

At the same time, a 2007 Dodge Ram, driven by 30-year-old Dillon Dowdy, and a 2017 Ford F-150, driven by 48-year-old Billy Walker Jr, were both traveling west on the same roadway.

As the Nissan slowed down on the roadway, the Kincheloe took evasive action to avoid striking the vehicle. Instead, he sideswiped the Nissan while passing it on the right side. The Avalanche then crashed into the rear of the Altima, pushing the car into the westbound lane where it collided with the Dodge Ram.

The Avalanche then continued into the westbound lane and collided with the Ford.

Martinez and her passenger, a 14-year-old male, were both fatally injured and pronounced dead at the scene.

Garza and Dowdy were both transported to the University of Texas Health East Texas Hospital in Tyler for care.

At this time, the incident remains under investigation.

We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Julia Martinez and the teen who lost their lives in this accident. Our thoughts are with them at this time.

Our thoughts are with Dillon Dowdy and Tanya Garza at this time. We hope for their full recovery.

Fatal Car Accidents in Texas

Tyler, TX – Julia Martinez & Teen Lose Life in TX-31 CrashEach year, around 4,000 people lose their lives in traffic-related incidents across the state of Texas. Many accidents can be contributed to some form of negligence. In fact, nearly 80% of accidents in our state are due to driver error. Some leading causes of collisions we see each year include:

  • Eating while operating vehicles
  • Speeding
  • Driving recklessly
  • Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
  • Using cell phones to talk or text while driving

When victims are killed in motor vehicle collisions, due to the negligence of others, families may have legal options available to help them move forward. Seeking the assistance of a San Antonio wrongful death lawyer can help you get justice.

Texas Wrongful Death Lawyers

Our San Antonio car accident lawyers at Wyatt Law Firm have extensive experience helping bereaved families get justice. We are passionate about helping bereaved families who have endured the loss of loved ones hold negligent actors accountable.

We will gather evidence to ensure you have the strongest case imaginable. Our team can meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s accident. You can reach out to our team by calling 210-340-5550. We can schedule a free case evaluation to review the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s accident and determine the best options available to help you move forward.

Our Texas personal injury lawyers are available any time to take your call.

Note: Our team used secondary sources when creating this post. These sources include but are not limited to local and state police reports, local news reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about the accident described. Our team has not independently verified all the facts surrounding this accident.  For this reason, if you locate any information that is incorrect, please let us know immediately so that we can correct the error. We will remove a post if requested. 

Disclaimer: This post is not a solicitation for business and none of the information provided in this post is intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene.