Four Killed in Head-On Crash South of DeKalb

July 14, 2026

BOWIE COUNTY, Texas — Four young people died early Saturday in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 259 in western Bowie County.

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers responded to the crash around 3:20 a.m. Saturday, about four miles south of DeKalb, according to DPS spokesman Sgt. Ethan Sartor.

A preliminary investigation indicates a northbound Nissan Altima crossed into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a Dodge Charger. The Altima's driver, Dru Wilson, 23, of DeKalb, died at the scene.
The three occupants of the Charger — Joel Ellestad, 22, Payton Butler, 24, and Ty Byrd, 20 — also died at the scene. All three were from Morris County, according to reports.

Daingerfield–Lone Star ISD released a statement mourning the loss, extending the district community's condolences to the Butler, Byrd, and Ellestad families.

Investigators have not determined what caused the vehicle to cross the center line. The crash remains under investigation by DPS.

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