New Orleans woman died in Jasper crash

September 5, 2023

An early morning accident claimed the life of a New Orleans woman and sent a second to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.

It all began at around 7:35 a.m. on state Highway 63, approximately one-half mile west of County Road 032.

Department of Public Safety Information Officer, Shana Clark said, " A 2023 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling west, while a 2013 Toyota 4Runner was traveling east. It is reported that the driver of the Chevrolet attempted to pass a commercial motor vehicle to the left and struck the front right portion of the Toyota. The Chevrolet then traveled off the road and struck a tree, where it caught fire."

According to the report, the driver of the Chevrolet, identified as 30-year-old Soyinka Shakera Russell of New Orleans, La., was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment. Her passenger, identified as 33-year-old Kendra Williams, also of New Orleans, was transported to Christus Jasper Memorial, where she was pronounced deceased by medical staff.

The driver of the Toyota, identified as 63-year-old Richard Samuel Albrecht Jr. of Lufkin, was not injured.