LUFKIN, Angelina County, Texas, Oct. 4, 2026 — Two people were taken to a hospital on Friday night, October 2, after a two-vehicle crash at North John Redditt Drive and Lotus Lane in Lufkin, and a local man was arrested on a suspected DWI charge, according to the Lufkin Police Department.
Officers responded to the intersection around 10:20 p.m. after a Ford F350 collided with a Kia sedan, said Jackie Zimmerman, a public relations specialist for the department. A witness told officers the pickup had been following their vehicle too closely while heading southbound, then moved into the left turn lane and stopped.
According to the witness account relayed by police, the through-traffic signal turned green. Still, the left-turn arrow remained red when the pickup driver turned left anyway, striking the northbound Kia, which reportedly had the right of way. The impact knocked a traffic signal to the ground, blocking part of the roadway, Zimmerman said.
The pickup's driver, identified by police as 24-year-old Kaden Bryan Womack of Lufkin, was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and unlawfully carrying a weapon. He was taken to a hospital for a blood draw before being booked into the Angelina County Jail, authorities said.
The conditions of the two people hospitalized from the crash had not been released as of Saturday afternoon. The investigation remains open.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
Why Impaired-Driving Intersection Crashes Cause So Much Damage
A crash at an intersection usually happens at a sharp angle, with one vehicle's side or front corner taking the full force of another vehicle moving at speed. Side structures carry less reinforcement than the front and rear crumple zones built to absorb a head-on hit, so a T-bone or turning collision can transfer more force into the passenger compartment with less to slow it down first.
Alcohol strips away the margin a driver needs to notice a signal, judge a gap in traffic, or brake before a turn. A driver who is impaired reacts slower to a red arrow or an oncoming vehicle, and that lost second or two is usually the difference between stopping short of a lane and colliding inside it. Seat belts and airbags reduce the risk of worse outcomes, but they cannot make up for a turn made directly into another vehicle's path.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 253 children killed in traffic crashes were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2023. The figure reflects how impaired driving affects everyone sharing the road, not just the people in the vehicle being driven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most traffic crashes happen?
A large share of crashes occur at or near intersections, where vehicles cross paths, turn, or stop for signals, creating more opportunities for a mistimed move to result in a collision.
What injuries are common in intersection crashes?
Side-impact and turning collisions usually cause injuries to the head, chest, and limbs, since less structure protects occupants from a hit to the side or corner of a vehicle compared to a front-end impact.
What are common causes of these crashes?
Running a red light or turn arrow, following too closely, and impaired or distracted driving are frequent factors cited in intersection crash reports.
What to Do After a DWI Crash in Lufkin, TX
If you're involved in a crash you believe involved an impaired driver, call 911 right away and stay as safe as possible until officers arrive. Seek a medical evaluation even if you feel fine, since some injuries from a side or angled impact aren't immediately obvious. Get the responding officer's name and the case or report number, and ask how to request a copy of the crash report once it's finalized. If you're able, take photos of the vehicles, the intersection, and any signals or signage before anything is moved. Lean on family, friends, or a counselor in the days after, since the stress of a crash can linger even when physical injuries are minor.
