A tragic weekend in Liberty County has left two families mourning after two fatal accidents claimed the lives of local men in separate incidents.
The first accident occurred just after midnight on Saturday, April 26. State troopers were dispatched to a vehicle vs. 4-wheeler crash on CR 2553 in the Snake River community north of Moss Hill.
When they arrived, they found 33-year-old Danny Ray Cook, Jr., unresponsive, as family members attempted CPR. Troopers took over life-saving efforts until EMS arrived, but despite their best efforts, Cook was pronounced dead at 12:44 a.m. by Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Cody Parrish. His body was transported to Faith and Family Funeral Home in Batson.
According to Sgt. Rob Willoughby, supervisor for the Liberty County DPS office, the investigation led by Trooper Jacques Nguyen and assisted by Trooper Levi Wilcox found no evidence that another vehicle was involved in the crash. Speed is believed to have been a contributing factor.
Tragedy struck again less than 24 hours later. On Sunday, April 27, around 2:13 a.m., state troopers responded to a single-vehicle accident on FM 770 near the intersection of FM 563.
A 2000 Lexus S300 had veered off the roadway and struck a tree, resulting in the death of the driver, identified as 38-year-old David Gipson of Liberty. Gipson was pronounced dead at the scene by Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Jimmy Belt.
Trooper Austin Alexander investigated the crash. The exact cause of why Gipson left the roadway remains unknown.
Sgt. Willoughby said that speed is believed to have been a factor in the second crash, too.
I love you forever DL you’ll always be mine like I’ll always be yours .I miss you already 💋