Johnson identified in fatal Toll 49 crash

Marshall Man Identified in Fatal 18-Wheeler Crash on Toll 49

MARSHALL, TX – Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal 18-wheeler crash that occurred early Thursday morning, February 22nd, in Smith County. Jonathan Edward Johnson, 43, of Marshall, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision.

The incident happened around 6:30 a.m. in the 4000 block of Toll 49, at its intersection with County Road 2200.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Johnson was driving a 2018 Freightliner truck-tractor northbound on County Road 2200. At the same time, a 2019 Freightliner, driven by Robert Ray Thompson, 51, of Longview, was traveling eastbound on Toll 49. DPS preliminary findings indicate that Johnson failed to yield the right of way at the intersection, leading to Thompson's truck striking Johnson's vehicle.

Jonathan Johnson was declared deceased at the site of the crash. Robert Ray Thompson was transported to UT Health East Texas in Tyler with non-life-threatening injuries.

Toll 49 was shut down for several hours following the crash as investigators worked the scene and cleanup efforts were underway.