Deadly Wrong-Way Crash Rattles Grayson County
Everything changed in a matter of seconds on a quiet stretch of Farm-to-Market Road 3133 in Grayson County, Texas. Around midday on May 17, 2025, a pickup carrying a father and his two small children was struck head-on by another truck, ending three lives and shaking an entire community to its core. The family’s Chevrolet Silverado burst into flames after the crash, leaving no chance for escape.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the tragic chain of events began when Rocky Patterson, 63, driving a Dodge 3500, tried to pass another vehicle while heading uphill—right in a no-passing zone. It wasn't a harmless mistake. By crossing the double yellow lines in that blind spot, he collided directly with Tommy Moorehead III's Silverado coming the other way. Not finished, the Dodge then smashed into a third vehicle—a Toyota Tacoma driven by a 74-year-old man—who was injured but treated on the scene.
- Grayson County crash took the lives of Tommy Moorehead III, aged 41, as well as his daughter Lynnlee (6) and son Tommy Jr. (4).
- Patterson ended up in the hospital with unspecified injuries after the crash, only to be arrested later.
- The DPS charged Patterson with three counts of second-degree felony manslaughter, each carrying a massive price tag: $3 million in total bonds.
The horrifying accident unfolded just a few miles outside Van Alstyne, a pocket-sized town north of Dallas, but its shockwaves spread fast. Emergency crews arrived quickly but couldn’t save the family inside the burning pickup. Roadside memorials sprouted within hours, while neighbors and strangers alike asked how something so preventable could happen.
Community Grieves, Authorities Seek Answers
As the DPS continued their investigation—measuring skid marks, talking to survivors, piecing together what led to the fatal move—North Texas schools and families grappled with grief. Lynnlee was known as a sweet first grader at Trenton ISD. The school set up grief counseling for classmates and teachers devastated by her loss. News of the GoFundMe appeal for the children’s mother traveled fast on social media, drawing support from local businesses and ordinary residents.
This tragedy wasn’t an isolated incident, either. The same weekend saw six other traffic-related deaths across North Texas, sending a grim reminder about how quickly normal days can tip into heartbreak on Texas roads.
- Texas DPS officials repeated their warnings: Passing in a no-passing zone—especially on hills and curves—can be deadly.
- Community groups pooled resources for the family, helping with funeral costs and offering long-term support for the grieving mother.
- The Toyota Tacoma driver is recovering, but witnesses say they’ll never forget the chaos and destruction left in those few moments.
A court date for Patterson hasn't been set, but prosecutors say they’re treating the charges seriously. Locals are bracing for a tough legal battle ahead, and many call for increased traffic enforcement in rural areas like Grayson County, where speeding and dangerous passes are all too common.
Mourning, frustration, and a search for answers swirl through the area. For friends of the Moorehead family, the loss is raw—and the message is painfully clear: split-second road decisions can change or end lives forever.
