The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a two-car accident that resulted in the death of 48-year-old Mineola resident Lesley Paul Clanton.

According to accident reports, the crash occurred around 4:14 a.m. Saturday on US Highway 259 around six miles to the north of Longview.

According to DPS, the 48-year-old was driving northbound on the highway when his 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 hit a guardrail.

Clanton exited the vehicle to inspect the damage and he was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Bertha Idalia Venzor.

The Ore City resident struck both Clanton’s car and Clanton.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. However, Venzor was not injured.

It is not known what caused Clanton to crash his car initially or how Venzor came to strike him.

The authorities have not said whether Venzor was cited or whether she will be charged.

Investigations are continuing into the crash and subsequent accident reports could reveal more information.

Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council reveal that the country roads have become more deadly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CEO Lorraine M. Martin said it appeared to be open season on reckless driving because of the emptier streets.

The data suggest a 14 percent increase in fatality rates per miles driven in March despite an eight percent decline in the overall number of road deaths when compared to March 2019.

Texas saw a six percent increase in road deaths for the first three months of the year.

While the NSC said more research is needed, anecdotal evidence suggests drivers have been speeding more.

Martin said motorists should see it as their civic duty to drive carefully during this period of crisis.

Disclaimer: The Accident News article you just read includes information obtained from numerous sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, websites and press releases from law enforcement, the county coroner, fire departments, and other news outlets. While we strive to provide readers with the most accurate information, sometimes the information received is not entirely accurate. For complete details, please refer to an official police report.

The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Accident News’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.

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