Fatal Head-On Crash on Highway 31 Kills Two

Two Dead in Head-On Collision on Highway 31 Near Tyler

TYLER, Texas – Two individuals were killed in a head-on collision on Highway 31 west of Loop 49 early Monday morning. The fatal crash, which occurred around 6:30 a.m. on September 30, claimed the lives of both drivers involved.

Authorities identified the victims as Samuel Johnson, 62, of Chandler, and Mary Beth O'Connell, 38, of Tyler. Both were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

According to preliminary reports from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), a 2020 Honda Civic, traveling westbound on Highway 31, reportedly crossed the center line. The Civic then collided head-on with an eastbound 2018 Ford F-150 pickup. Investigators are examining heavy fog reported in the area at the time of the crash as a potential contributing factor to the incident.

The Tyler Fire Department and Smith County EMS responded to the scene. Highway 31 was closed for several hours following the incident, with traffic rerouted between County Road 1113 and County Road 1115 while emergency crews cleared the scene and DPS conducted its initial investigation.

The DPS investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.