Accident causes serious injury to Kilgore couple

A vehicle accident on U.S. Hwy. 31, northbound just outside the city limits of Kilgore on Wednesday sent three people to the hospital.

Trooper Brandon Smith, Department of Public Safety officer from Longview, said Kilgore resident Jimmy Smires was driving his 2008 Pontiac northbound on U.S. Hwy. 31 with his wife, Kay, as his passenger.

According to Smith, Cody Whatley, of Longview, was southbound on U.S. Hwy. 31 either making a u-turn or turning onto a side road in his 2006 Ford 4X4.

Smith said Whatley failed to yield the right of way to Smires, striking the 2008 Pontiac and totaling both vehicles. Whatley was taken to Mother Francis Hospital and the Smireses were taken to Good Shepherd Hospital in serious, but not lifethreatening, condition.

Smith issued Whatley a citation for failure to yield the right of way. The accident occurred at 5:14 p.m.