Details Released on Multi-Vehicle Fatal in Van Zandt County

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Officials have released additional information on a major crash that happened Monday in Van Zandt County. DPS Trooper Jean Dark says at approximately 2:30 p.m., troopers responded to the multi-vehicle fatal crash on I-20, two miles east of Canton. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2006 Freightliner truck towing a trailer was traveling east in the right lane. Dark says the driver of the Freightliner failed to control his speed and ran into the back of a 2007 Ford Escape traveling in the same lane. The Ford Escape was then pushed forward into a 2013 Ford SEL. The Ford SEL was then pushed into a 2015 KIA Soul, which was then pushed into a 1998 Peterbilt truck towing a flatbed trailer.

Dark says the original Freightliner that struck the Ford Escape continued pushing east into a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee was then pushed onto a 2007 Western Star truck towing a Wabash trailer. AS the Ford Escape was being pushed to its final resting location into the south ditch area, a 2002 Lexus was then struck from behind by a Ford F150.

The driver of the Ford Escape, who was pronounced dead at the scene, has been identified as David Brimage, 41, of Brownsboro. The driver of the Ford SEL has been identified as Rachel Brimage, 36, of Brownsboro. She was taken to Parkland Hospital in Dallas with serious injuries. Two passengers in the vehicle, a 13-year-old male (critical injury) and an 11-year-old female (serious injury) were taken to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.

The driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been identified as Deborah Phillips, 65, from Jena, La. Philips was taken to Mother Frances-Tyler in serious condition. Passengers in her vehicle include Agusta Phillips, 72, taken to Mother Frances-Tyler in stable condition; Peggy Wilson, 32, unknown city of residence; and a 13-year-old female (also unknown city of residence), both taken to Mother Frances-Tyler in stable condition. The driver of the KIA Soul has been identified as Shelley Jack, 45, from Monroe, La. Jack was taken to Mother Frances-Tyler in stable condition. There were no other injuries reported with the other vehicles involved.

Dark emphasized that this is a preliminary report. She said she didn’t immediately have information on the identification of those not injured, saying that information will be contained on the final crash report. Contributing factors to the crash will also be included on the final crash report, according to Dark.