BUNA, Texas — A deadly three-vehicle crash early Monday morning along Texas Highway 62 in Jasper County claimed the life of a Louisiana man, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The wreck happened before sunrise and shut down part of the highway as troopers worked to investigate what led to the fatal collision.
DPS troopers identified the man who died as Dustin Spears, 43, of Many, Louisiana. The crash occurred around 4:45 a.m. on January 12, 2026, near the intersection of Highway 62 and County Road 784. Authorities said Spears was pronounced dead at the scene by a justice of the peace.
Investigators said Spears was driving a 2019 Ram pickup truck southbound on Highway 62 at the time of the crash. A 2003 Chevrolet pickup, driven by a 38-year-old man from Jasper, was traveling behind him. Meanwhile, a 2017 Nissan passenger car, driven by a 38-year-old man from Kirbyville, was traveling northbound in the opposite lane.
According to DPS, the driver of the Chevrolet attempted to pass the Ram pickup in a marked no-passing zone. While trying to overtake the vehicle, the Chevrolet driver reportedly noticed the Nissan approaching from the opposite direction and quickly jerked the steering wheel back to the right. This sudden move caused the Chevrolet to strike the Ram.
The impact forced Spears’ Ram pickup off the roadway and into a ditch on the west side of the highway. Troopers said the truck then struck several trees, causing severe damage. At the same time, the driver of the Nissan swerved off the road to the right in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision with the Chevrolet. The Nissan left the roadway and struck a tree, authorities said.
Despite the violent nature of the crash, the drivers of both the Chevrolet and the Nissan were not injured. DPS said the Chevrolet driver’s adult passenger also escaped without injury. Sadly, Spears suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, bringing the early-morning crash to a tragic end.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said the investigation into the crash remains active and ongoing. Troopers are continuing to review evidence from the scene and reconstruct the collision to determine all contributing factors. No additional details were released, and officials said more information will be provided if it becomes available. The crash serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of passing in no-passing zones, especially during low-visibility early morning hours.
