Two Dead in Smith County Wreck

Two people are dead following a traffic accident Sunday morning in Smith County.

The Department of Public Safety said the driver of the car, 36-year-old Andrew Jeremiah Whitton, and his passenger, 38-year-old Sarah Katherine Brown, both of Tyler, were killed in the early morning wreck.

Troopers say Whitton ran off the roadway and struck a tree on County Road 285 near County Road 288.

Autopsies were ordered on both crash victims.

One Dead, Five Injured in Upshur County Wreck

BIG SANDY — An accident Saturday night in Upshur County has claimed the life of one person and injured five.

According to the Texas Department of Public safety, 65-year-old Saray Neang, of Hawkins, was a passenger in a car driven by 17-year-old Chamroeun Long. Neang was pronounced dead at the scene. Long and four other people in the car were transported to a Longview hospital.

Troopers say Long lost control of the vehicle, overcorrected and flipped the SUV several times. The accident occurred on Highway 80 near Big Sandy.

Award Winning Chef Shot by Police

DALLAS — A man shot and killed by Dallas special tactics officers was an award-winning chef.

Travis Henderson had helped the kitchen at The Place at Perry’s in Dallas to national prominence, winning it the 2004 North American Restaurant Association Award of Excellence.

Dallas police Lt. Scott Walton says the 52-year-old chef was shot dead in a far north Dallas church parking lot after he pointed a handgun at officers. He didn’t fire.

Henderson’s wife who reported him missing an hour before the shooting told police she had concerns over his state of mind.

Federal Health Care Laws Up for Discussion

AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers plan to hear testimony on the implementation of new federal health care laws. The House Public Health and Insurance committees are meeting this morning at the Capitol. The legislators also want to hear ideas on what new laws they should consider next year.

House meeting of the nation’s governors today. They’ll also push for better cooperation with the federal government. The meeting will wrap up the final day of the National Governors Association winter meeting.