Rear-End Crash on Highway 103 Near Lufkin Sends Two to Hospital

Reported September 15, 2026

Reported

A Saturday night left-turn maneuver on state Highway 103 near Lufkin turned into a rear-end collision that put two people in the hospital, according to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Both patients were treated for non-life-threatening injuries after a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee collided just east of Stubblefield Road, and the incident is a reminder of how quickly a routine turn on a rural East Texas highway can set off a chain of consequences.

• Vehicles And Direction: Both vehicles were traveling westbound on Highway 103 at the time of the crash, meaning they were moving in the same direction before the collision occurred.
• Nature Of The Impact: The Silverado slowed to turn left into a private drive and was rear-ended by the following Jeep Grand Cherokee, a pattern that DPS identified in its preliminary report.
• Injury Severity: Both occupants suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to CommonSpirit-St. Luke’s Hospital in Lufkin for treatment.
• Investigation Status: DPS confirmed the investigation is ongoing, and no further details had been released as of early Tuesday morning.

What Happened on Highway 103

According to the DPS report, the crash happened around 9:16 p.m. when a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado was westbound on Highway 103 and began to slow in preparation for a left-hand turn into a private drive just east of Stubblefield Road. A 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, also traveling west behind the Silverado, struck the pickup in the rear before the turn was completed, according to the Lufkin Daily News.

Both occupants, a 28-year-old Lufkin man driving the Silverado and a 21-year-old Marshall woman in the Jeep, were transported to CommonSpirit-St. Luke’s Hospital in Lufkin, where they were treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening. The nighttime timing, around 9:16 p.m., meant that darkness would have reduced the visibility of brake lights and slowing vehicles ahead, a factor that commonly plays a role in this type of collision. DPS said the investigation remains open and that no additional information was available early Tuesday.

Why Rear-End Crashes Happen on Rural Texas Highways

Rear-end collisions are among the most common crash types on Texas roads, and they occur with particular frequency on two-lane rural highways where drivers often travel at highway speeds with limited warning before a vehicle ahead slows or stops to turn. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) consistently identifies following distance and speed management as key factors in preventing rear-impact crashes, especially at night when reaction time is compressed by reduced visibility. For example, a driver on a dark rural highway who is following too closely may not see a slowing truck until the gap has already closed to a dangerous distance, leaving almost no time to brake.

Highway 103 is a state highway that runs through the Pineywoods region of East Texas, connecting communities such as Lufkin and Jasper and passing through areas with a mix of private driveways, farm entrances, and rural intersections. Because these access points are not always well-lit or marked with dedicated turn lanes, drivers making left turns must slow on the main travel lanes, which puts them at risk of being struck from behind if following drivers aren’t leaving adequate space. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that rear-end crashes frequently result in neck and back injuries even at moderate speeds, and that outcomes depend heavily on the speed differential between the striking and struck vehicles at the moment of impact.

• Following Distance At Night: Darkness significantly reduces the distance at which a driver can detect that a vehicle ahead is braking, making adequate following distance even more critical after sunset.
• Left Turns On Open Highways: When a vehicle slows to turn left into a private drive on a highway without a dedicated turn lane, it creates a sudden deceleration in the through lane that trailing drivers may not anticipate.
• Speed And Impact Severity: The greater the speed difference between the two vehicles at the moment of contact, the more force is transferred, which generally correlates with more serious injuries.
• Rural Highway Access Points: East Texas state highways often serve both through traffic and local property access, creating frequent conflict points where highway-speed drivers encounter vehicles slowing or turning unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Crash

Where Exactly Did This Crash Occur

DPS reports that the crash happened on state Highway 103 just east of Stubblefield Road, in the Lufkin area of Angelina County in East Texas.

How Serious Were the Injuries

Both occupants were transported to CommonSpirit-St. Luke’s Hospital in Lufkin and were treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening, according to the DPS report.

Is the Investigation Still Open

Yes. DPS confirmed as of early Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing and that no further information was available. Additional details may be released as the inquiry proceeds.