DPS releases preliminary report on Winona firefighter’s fatal crash

Published 3:39 pm Monday, February 19, 2024

The Texas Department of Public Safety has released an initial crash report after an East Texas man was killed in a car crash Saturday.

Joseph Boehm, 29, of Tyler, was driving north on FM 757 in Smith County around 6:50 p.m. Saturday night. Texas DPS said preliminary investigation indicates Boehm “disregarded the stop sign” at the intersection of FM 757 and FM 2767 (Old Kilgore Highway), causing a second vehicle to hit his SUV.

The second vehicle was driven by Harold Johnson, 39, of Winona. He was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, DPS said. Also in the vehicle was Faith Warren, 37, of Flint, who had her seat belt on, according to DPS. Both were taken to a local hospital with non-incapacitating injuries. 

Boehm was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, DPS said, and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the only person in the car.

The posted speed limited at this area is 60 mph. The crash occurred about 9 miles east of Tyler.

Weather conditions were clear and dry. 

Boehm was a firefighter at the Winona Volunteer Fire Department. He also worked at Preferred On-Site Fleet Services of Texas in Tyler as a shop foreman and lead diesel mechanic.

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