Harry Collins III Killed, William Chaplinski Arrested after DUI Crash on Highway 155 [Smith County, TX]

Harry Collins III Dead in DUI Accident on Highway 155

 
SMITH COUNTY, TX (September 18, 2023) — A 42-year-old Tyler man, identified as Harry Collins III, died in a DUI crash on Friday, September 8.
 
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the fatal two-vehicle crash happened on Highway 155 North at around 11 p.m.
 
Reports said 22-year-old William Charles Chaplinski, of Big Sandy, drove a truck south on the highway. Then he tried to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone. After that, he struck head-on a northbound SUV driven by Collins, who was on the way to pick up his son from a game.
 
When a trooper arrived at the area, he saw the SUV on the east side of Highway 155. He found Collins inside the vehicle and pronounced him dead at the scene. Loved one’s set up a GoFundMe page to raise $10,000 for Collins’ bereaved family.
 
Emergency responders treated Chaplinski at the scene. Then they transported him to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
 
DPS said Chaplinski was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
 
Authorities then arrested Chaplinski on a charge of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. Upon release from the hospital, they booked Chaplinski into the Smith County Jail.

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of of Harry Collins III.

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