A devastating head-on collision in Van Alstyne, Texas, on May 17 claimed the lives of Tommy Moorehead III, 41, and his two young children—6-year-old Lynnlee and 4-year-old Tommy Jr.—leaving his wife, Brooke Mustard Moorehead, without her entire family. Authorities say 63-year-old Rocky Patterson attempted to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone, colliding head-on with Moorehead’s Chevrolet Silverado, which then caught fire. Patterson also struck a Toyota Tacoma. He now faces three counts of manslaughter, with a bond totaling $3 million.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the investigation. A family friend described the tragedy as “unimaginable,” emphasizing that Brooke lost “everything” in an instant. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral expenses.
This heartbreaking loss was part of a grim weekend on North Texas roads, where six other people died in three separate crashes. One incident involved a wrong-way driver and left two dead early on May 18.
These tragedies highlight the enduring dangers of reckless driving and the profound impact such moments have on entire families and communities.