Man indicted in Christmas Eve fatal Milam Co. crash

Cameron, Tx (FOX 44) - A 60-year-old Lufkin man has been booked into the Milam County Jail after being indicted by a grand jury on manslaughter charges in connection with a fatal traffic crash. William Keith Tudmon was indicted on three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in addition to the two counts of manslaughter in connection with the Christmas Eve 2025 crash that left 17-year-old Brooke Patton and 18-year-old Cooper Andrew Elsik dead. They were the occupants of a 2019 Ford Escape that Elsik was driving going west on Highway 79. A white 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 dual-wheel pickup truck was traveling eastbound on Highway 79 and was towing a black 2007 homemade utility trailer. DPS troopers said the Ram was driven by Tudmon. The crash occurred about 6:55 p.m. on Highway 79 west of Milam County Road 334. According to the investigating Trooper, the Ram failed to maintain a single lane of travel and crossed into the westbound lane, directly into the path of the Escape. The Ram struck the Escape, resulting in a major chain-reaction collision. DPS Sgt. Brian Washko said the Escape went out of control upon impact and collided with a 2026 Infiniti QX60 which was traveling behind the Ram. The Infiniti was occupied by three individuals, all of whom were transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital with serious injuries. It was those injuries that brought the aggravated assault charges. Elsik and Patton were pronounced dead at the scene by Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace David Yarbrough.