Published: July 15, 2006 11:15 pm      

Gaines' case may go before grand jury

Palestine — An Anderson County grand jury will likely be presented a case sometime this summer involving a East Texas truck driver who allegedly ran a red light on North Loop 256 and seriously injured a local teenager.

Shortly after noon on June 11, Martha Michelle Gaines, 19, of Palestine sustained serious injuries when her 2000 Buick Park Avenue was struck by a 1990 GMC truck/tractor operated by 46-year-old Kenneth Lee Woodworth of White Oak, police have said.

Woodworth, who was traveling southbound on North Loop 256, apparently ran a red light at the intersection of Sterne Avenue after the brakes on his trailer failed, according to police.

At the time, Palestine Police Sgt. Pete Todd said the accident was what authorities sometimes refer to as a “T-bone.”

“She got hit right at the middle of the car (on the driver’s side),” Todd told the Herald-Press last month.

A Palestine police report indicated Woodworth’s “registered gross vehicle weight” was 72,000 pounds. Authorities have said the man was hauling some type of heavy oilfield equipment.

Last week, Anderson County District Attorney Doug Lowe said his office was planning to present the case to the grand jury for consideration, possibly seeking an indictment against Woodworth on the charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Authorities have indicated Woodworth may been negligent in his operation of the truck/tractor.

Palestine Police Det. Nick Webb is investigating the case.

As of one week ago, Gaines was listed in “serious” condition at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler where she continued to recover from multiple injuries, including a head injury; a broken pelvis; broken ribs; and a badly-bruised spleen.

A fund has been set up in Gaines’ name at the Palestine location of Capital One Bank to help defray medical and other expenses associated with her injuries.

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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com