Couple Killed in East Texas Crash

A multi-vehicle crash in East Texas claimed the life of a Shreveport couple last Thursday.

The accident happened just before 10 p.m. at the intersection of FM-1999 and FM-9 in the area of Karnack.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said 48-year-old Melanie H. Coffman and her boyfriend Richard Phillips, 54, died. The two were on a motorcycle.

Family members said Coffman worked as a nurse at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. She also worked at the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office as a sexual assault nurse examiner.

Preliminary investigations showed that 52-year-old Waskom resident Jeffery Mac Martin was heading north on FM-9 in a 2016 Ford F-150 pickup. His passenger was Lonnie Martin, 53, of Karnack.

As Jeffery Martin was driving, Philips was traveling east on FM-1999 on a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Martin entered the roadway and failed to yield the right of way. As a result, he hit the motorcycle, ejecting both Coffman and Phillips.

Meanwhile, a 2016 Honda Civic driven by 21-year-old Hannah Marter was traveling westbound on FM-1999. That vehicle also hit Coffman and Phillips.

Coffman passed away at the scene. She was taken to Meadowbrook Funeral Home in Marshall. Phillips later passed away from his injuries at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport.

The two people in the Ford were treated and released at the scene while the driver of the Honda was uninjured.

Investigations continue into the crash.

Multi-vehicle accidents often result in both serious injuries and extensive property damage. They can also result in complicated lawsuits as all the parties involved try to establish liability.

Often, these crashes occur because one driver rear-ends another but there can be other contributing factors.

If you suffered injuries in a traffic accident or you lost a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation. A Texas car accident lawyer can provide the advice and representation you need.

Source: https://www.easttexasmatters.com/news/shreveport-nurse-mother-of-2-dies-in-east-texas-crash/