On Sunday, April 27, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded on Oakwood Drive in Lufkin, Texas, resulting in the death of a 6-year-old boy. The boy was fatally injured when a pickup truck, driven by a 10-year-old girl, crashed into a porch where he was sitting. The girl had been instructed to move the vehicle by her stepfather, Clinton Earl Johnson Jr., 31, who has since been arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide .
Details of the Incident
According to the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene around 1 a.m. They discovered a Nissan Titan pickup truck that had crashed into the rear of a covered porch area. The impact caused significant damage, with several boards and poles on the ground. A tricycle was found next to the porch, and the pickup had struck property, chairs, and other items as it crashed into the porch. The vehicle was registered to Johnson .
The 6-year-old boy was found lying on his back on the porch in front of the pickup. He was transported to a Lufkin hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Statements from Witnesses
A 10-year-old girl at the scene informed investigators that she had been told to move the pickup and lost control, crashing it into the porch. At the hospital, the boy’s mother stated that her son was sitting on the porch using her cellphone, and the girl was riding the tricycle. The mother reported that Johnson told the girl to “scoot it up,” referring to the truck. Johnson admitted that the girl had driven the pickup on backroads before. The mother said the girl “got confused and got on the gas causing the accident” .
Legal Proceedings
Clinton Earl Johnson Jr. was arrested on Tuesday, April 29, and charged with state jail felony criminally negligent homicide. As of the latest reports, his bond has not yet been set .
Community Response
The Lufkin community is mourning the loss of the young boy, and the incident has sparked discussions about child safety and adult responsibility. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the importance of ensuring that children are not placed in situations beyond their capabilities, especially those involving motor vehicles.