City identifies driver in fatal wreck

City identifies driver in fatal wreck News Staff Mon, 06/10/2024 - 7:12 pm

• (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) An investigator with Graham Police Department photographs a crash Saturday, June 8. The wreck followed a high-speed chase on Elm Street in Graham, leaving the driver, Juan Carlos Lemus Aguilera, dead and six injured.

Leader Staff Report editor@grahamleader.com

One man is dead and several were injured following a high-speed chase through downtown Graham.

At approximately 5 p.m. Saturday, June 8 Graham Police Department was notified of a suspected reckless driver near Walmart, later identified as Juan Carlos Lemus Aguilera. A GPD officer identified the vehicle, a gray Chevrolet Silverado, and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

Aguilera failed to yield to the officer and increased speed while traveling northbound on Elm Street.

In the intersection of Elm and South Streets, Aguilera lost control of the vehicle, sideswiped another vehicle and crashed into an occupied residence in the 800 block of Elm Street. The driver of the sideswiped vehicle was uninjured.

Aguilera was pronounced dead at the scene. Six occupants of the residence were injured, treated at the scene and subsequently transported to Graham Regional Medical Center for additional medical treatment.

The residents of the home that were injured were Kaitlynn Everett, 24, Kennady Everett, 22, Haydn Jarvis, 23, Chastidie Mitchell, 45 and Daniel Skinner, 39, and a one-year-old infant. Injuries included a fractured skull, broken leg and multiple lacerations and abrasions.

City Manager Eric Garretty said Sunday, June 9 that none of the injuries were life threatening.

One person in the residence received trauma to the head and face as a result of the crash and was airlifted to Harris Methodist Hospital.

A GoFundMe page was created to support those who were injured inside the home when the crash occurred. As of Monday afternoon the fundraiser had raised $5,925 of its $50,000 goal.

GPD opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and is being assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Along with GPD, deputies from Young County Sheriff’s Office, Graham EMS and Graham Fire Department assisted at the scene.

The age and last place of residence for Aguilera were not confirmed as of press time Monday.

The Leader will continue to follow this story and provide updates as information is released.

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