Woman Killed In Late Wednesday Accident Found Today

HENDERSON — A woman believed killed in a late Wednesday night accident was found early this morning.

Heavy rains and stormy weather are thought to be contributors to the accident which claimed 28-year-old Candace Smith’s life last night.

Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Paul E. Kenrick said Smith was traveling north on Texas Highway 322 toward Longview when she apparently lost control of her 1999 Chevrolet extended cab pickup.

Kenrick, who has patrolled in Rusk County for the past 10 years, said Smith’s vehicle left the roadway to the right and she overcorrected which sent the pickup to the left side of the highway where it rolled several times before coming to rest in a ditch.

Kenrick said Smith, who was not wearing a safety belt, was ejected from the truck and thrown about 75 feet from the wreckage.

The trooper also stated it was unclear exactly when the accident occurred, but it was believed to have happened about 10:30 p.m.

“We are going on some neighbors who said they heard a loud bang about that time, but it was raining very hard and they thought it might have been a tree,” he said.

Kenrick said it was only after the couple prepared to leave for the day when they found her truck and her body.

Kenrick said he was called to the scene about 7:20 this morning when Smith was declared dead at the scene.

This is a very sad time for our family, she was very near and dear to our hearts. We love her and miss her very much.