Three vehicles were involved in wrecks around 5:40 a.m. Wednesday on State Highway 11. Two men died as a result of the collisions.
Edward Samis, 56, of Sherman and Robert Ping, 40, of Whitewright were both killed while trying to help one of the accident victims from her car.
Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Tackett explained that a white Dodge pickup was traveling southbound and a green Nissan Maxima was headed north on S.H. 11. Tackett said the Nissan, driven by Margaret White, 49, of Sherman was trying to turn west onto F.M. 1417 when it was struck by the pickup driven by Javier Sanchez, 18 of Sherman. "When the vehicles collided, the Nissan was disabled in the roadway and both drivers were injured," Tackett said.
Three people stopped to help, and as they went to the Nissan to help White from of her car, Tackett said a red Ford F-150 pickup driven by a 68-year-old Sherman man was southbound on SH 11, and he "approached the crash scene and struck the Nissan and hit all three men, killing two and injuring one."
Tackett said everyone was transported to hospitals except the two who were killed.
Late in the afternoon, troopers were still trying to sort out to which hospital each individual was taken. He said two were taken before the Highway Patrol arrived at the scene. White was taken into surgery, he said, Wednesday morning, but her condition was unknown.
Comments ... 45 found!
Robert Ping : 7/16/2009
Robert Ping had people that considered themselves as part of his family that only knew him a day he was that friendly to everyone. He was loved by many and will be missed greatly be all. My prayers go out to all the people that were involved and are having to go through life without someone they knew and loved. I also pray for Wanda Robert's 2nd wife, his oldest son Christopher, his 2nd son David, his youngest daughter Danielle, and his old and new family.
Caring Person
fatal accident : 7/13/2009
Who do you really feel is the one who caused this accident? This is a tragedy to say the very least. Prayers go out to all.
interested
Tragedy : 7/7/2009
Edward Samis was a great person with a huge heart. He was always willing to help anyone in crisis or not. Edward loved his wife Vickie also and loved his 3 children unconditionally.. He was a awesome father, husband, brother and friend. He will be missed..But all the finger pointing and grumbling isn't going to bring him or Mr. Ping back. Just as you drive be considerate to the next driver and try to be more cautious to your surroundings. Maybe TXDOT needs to re-evaluate this intersection so no other innocent people have to die. Lets just remember that there are 2 families with children that are going to have to grow up without dad's and that is the tragedy. So just remember when your running late or in a big hurry slow down because this could be your family going thru this nightmare. Edward will be missed by his family..
Family also in mourning
more than two : 7/6/2009
From what I read and understand there are six families affected by this tragic accident. May God be with you all and provide inner strength, peace and comfort.
Compassionate Observer
I know : 7/4/2009
I know the man who was driving the 3rd vehicle. He is a good Christian family man. I know his heart and he is suffering greatly. I know he too needs to be remembered in prayer...some things are worse than death.
dofgh
Slow Down : 7/1/2009
People travel way too fast on Hwy11. Even if you are doing 70, there are people tailgating. I have even seen drivers pass on the left, when there are people about to turn left onto 1417. I don't remember there being this many accidents when the speed limit was 55. It's too bad it takes so many accidents/injuries to get the stats high enough to change the speed limits, or add traffic lights.
slowLuelladriver
Reduce the speed : 7/1/2009
The speed limit should be reduced from 70 to 55 miles per hr. A traffic light would also help. But the most help will come from the drivers traveling this road. Please pay attention, slow down even if the speed limit is not changed. Forget the cell phones and get to your distination safely.
I care
Lights needed : 7/1/2009
It is a mix of driver responsibility and a dangerous intersection. Every intersection from 82 to Highway 11 has a light system. The only two that don't - the new Highway 56 overpass and the Highway 11/1417 intersection - will continue to have violent accidents until changed. Without question both intersections needs a light system. Condolences to all involved.
Shermanite
Accident : 6/29/2009
Speaking as a family member, namely the Cousin of Robert Ping, the circumstances really don't matter. I can't tell you how angry I was about this. The intersection, the man that hit them... I wanted the 60 year old Sheman man to suffer... something. But seeing the turnout at the funeral, and hearing their stories... Robert died doing what he does. Help others. So in honor of him, I let my anger and hatred go. I'm sure Robert wouldn't want me to hold a grudge... So I won't. I can only believe that God took him home rather than make him suffer the rest of his life in agony. Forgiveness is the key here... for me, anyway.
E
Robert Ping : 6/29/2009
Robert was a very good man. He was honest,trustworthy, and just all around good guy. He will be missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.
Steve Murphy
An unfortunate tragedy for everyone involved!! : 6/28/2009
I want to remind everyone that it is easy to sit back and believe you have thought of every possible scenario when it comes to tragic events such as this one, but I caution you to remember that you don't always get correct and up-to-date information from the news media, gossip-mongers, etc. It just might! be that there are circumstances we haven't heard yet that may have been a cause for the heart rending events that happened that day at Rt 11 and Hwy 1417. The loss of two of God's children is a terrible, terrible thing. And we need to keep in our prayers the others involved and their families, as well. If you have ever been in an awful car accident, you well know how those events can stay with you for a good long while - even those accidnets that don't involve injuries! Let's all be good samritans, act as God would have us and reach out to those in need. May we all be reminded that when responding to someone's aid at roadside - to always have someone watching for oncoming traffic and to have flares ready to warn unsuspecting passersby!
TX transplant
Tragedy 1417 & Hwy 11 : 6/28/2009
Two good samaritans lost their lives last Monday. My heart and prayers go out to all those families involved. Ironically, another family and individual did not loose his life but for the rest of his life, he will live with the horror of this accident. I know this family and he is a veteran, father, grandfather,a hard working, Christian man. Only God and this person know why he was unable to avoid this terrible tragedy. Let's pray for ALL those involved
Friend
Update?? : 6/28/2009
Where is the update on this story? Why was the name of the 68 year old Sherman man not released? What were the injuries of those that went to the hospital? Is Ms. White going to be okay? Have they figured out why the guy plowed into the accident? Please answer these questions, Herald Democrat. You always do a much better job than the tv stations at providing the facts. Don't let us down!
Ping Family Friend
Shocking loss : 6/27/2009
Robert Ping was a good person. I have known he and Wanda for many years. My heart goes out to Wanda and their son. They both loved Robert very much. That he was helping another person when he lost his life is indicative of his life and legacy. Rest in peace, Robert. Thoughts and prayers to Wanda and family. Sara S.
Sara S.
Such a tragedy.... : 6/26/2009
Im just gonna say that Robert Ping was truly a great man, and a damn good mechanic. He'd do anything for anyone in need and always had a smile on his face doing it. I had the pleasure of him working along side me at the parts store and got to be the one that trained him, and to say the least i learned a tremendous amount about life from that man. I can honestly say i never saw him in a bad mood. He cared soo much for his family and friends. He is gonna be missed very much. I hope and pray that Wanda and David can pick up the pieces and continue on to a happy life because i know without a doubt that Robert would've wanted that. Rest in peace Robert. Keep my seat warm, ill see you in a few.... love ya.
Ricky
RE:AL : 6/26/2009
I'm not sure Al was bragging. I think the messaage was that there are very few true accidents. Somebody almost always is at fault. May God bless the family's.
just a reader
RW and Megalon : 6/26/2009
My intent wasn't to brag about my driving record. My intent was to say that blaming a strip of asphalt for the tragic deaths of two good-samaritans is just plain retarded. I just didn't want to say it that way because I was trying to illuminate rather than insult. But I can insult too. Unless the "68 year old Sherman man" had an ill timed adverse medical event that was completely unforseen (i.e.: a heart attack with no previous history of heart trouble) then this wasn't an accident. Somebody screwed up and two innocent people died as a result. Blaming an intesection that thousands uneventfully traverse daily may make some people feel all warm and fuzzy inside but it simply defies logic while at the same time failing to address the true cause of the incident.
Al
B&B in Whitewright : 6/26/2009
Robert also had other children from his first marriage, do not forget about THEM as well! They will need as much support as David and Wanda. Prayers going out to all of the families......
David was NOT his only child....
Al : 6/26/2009
Congratulations on your near perfect driving record Al. I'm sure that gives the grieving families here some relief.
Megalon
Robert and Family : 6/26/2009
I used to work with Robert and he was an upstanding individual. My heart goes out to Wanda and David as well as his entire family. God has a plan!!!!
Sherman Resident
Intersection of 1417 & 11 : 6/26/2009
I travel that road for several years while visiting relatives in the area. I found that there is what I consider excessive speed on Highway 11 and poor lighting and marking at the intersection with 1417. The separation of the turning onto 11 from 1417 and the intersection of the turning from 11 to west bound 1417 is difficult to see. Perhaps it could be better illuminated. I also notice many drivers neglect to dim their lights when meeting an oncoming vehicle which only adds to the difficulty. I would suggest making it a true T intersection with better lighting and perhaps a set of stop lights. Enforcement of the existing laws should be done at least. Common sense would be to slow down but that cannot be regulated. Not a well designed intersection.
Wisconsin visitor
TxDOT--help us! : 6/26/2009
This senseless tragity should be the final straw for this intersection in Grayson County. Installation of a red light system should be added ASAP to stop this senseless family destruction. It is time to get it done right this time!!
Grayson County Taxpayer
: 6/26/2009
19, 32 or 85 it matters not. Driving on public roads is a licensed privilege, not a right, and should be treated as such by TXDoT and our state leadership with MANDATORY retesting every 5 years. So many of my fellow Texomans have NO BUSINESS operating a motor vehicle on public roads. Take driving seriously. HANG UP the phone. Stay in the RIGHT lane. USE your turn indicators. PAY ATTENTION. Drive like you have a human life in your hands....because you do.
PassingU OnDaLeft
THANK YOU : 6/25/2009
Hello everyone Robert was my uncle and I just wanted to thank all of you for your prayers and support they are very needed and accepted... IDK why God decided to take two good men out of this world but maybe it is for a greater cause and something will FINALLY happen with that ridiculous intersection us on Hwy 11 are forced to take to get to Sherman... Please be careful everyone and just remember that life is to short and you can be taken at anytime doing anything... I loved my uncle very much and he is going to be missed...
Joshua Pugh
2 killed in intersection @1417 : 6/25/2009
What heroism and selflessness! We are not at all surprised that Robert Ping would sacrifice himself in such a manner. Although we only knew him for a few years, be showed himself to be a fine, Christian gentleman in the best tradition of this part of the world. A devoted and beloved husband and father, he will be sorely missed. May God help all those touched by this sorrow. To Wanda and David, your community and your church will gather around you and support you for Whitewright is just that kind of place.
B&B in Whitewright
Al : 6/25/2009
Al, really? How remarkably delightful for you? Two people are dead. Do you think this is the proper forum for bragging about your driving record while wagging your finger (and tongue) at others. Really? Get your priorities straight.
RW
Hwy 11 and F.M. 1417 : 6/25/2009
I went through that intersection every day, 2 to 6 times a day, for a year. I still go through it several times a week. I drive at a safe rate of speed. I pay attention to what's in front of me. I am always on the lookout for an "escape path" in the event of trouble ahead. I've never had a problem at Hwy 11 and 1417. Or anywhere else on the road since 1990 for that matter. After over a thousand successful transits through that intersection and more than half-a-million miles driven with one accident (in 1990) attributable to a mistake on my part, I feel that the problem isn't with the way road is laid out. Speaking from numerous observations and one personal experience, the vast majority of accidents are not accidents. The overwhelming majority of what are commonly referred to as "accidents" are the end result of human error.
Al
STOP LIGHTS : 6/25/2009
I am so sorry what had happened but I believe one thing that might help here is to put in a stop light. At least when you see a red light hopefuly you will tend to slow down enough to stop.
So Sorry
road : 6/25/2009
We are so quick to blame the TX DOT for accidents. The fact is the 67 year old woman probably couldn't see well enough to be driving in the first place I am only 32 and I have trouble judging distance at night). I cannot tell you how many neer misses I have had when an elderly person pulls out in front of me or suddenly stops in the middle of the road because they obviously don't know where they are going. They drive like they are the only ones on the road. I think it should be mandatory for people over 60 to retake driving tests. This intersection has a few lights but it is still relatively dark. The road is strait but the speed limit is 70 and should probably be reduced to 55 through there. It is a tragic accident and my heart goes out to the families of the deceased and injured.
Just a thought......
2 lives lost : 6/25/2009
Our attention is focused on anger at someone not doing their jobs...be it law enforcement or drivers. Let's focus on the real fact. Two honorable men stopped to render aid, without thought for their own safety, to help. Their families, though grieving, should take comfort in knowing their loved ones were caring men and be proud of that. Our community has two less honorable citizens today and I am proud to know there are still some out there with the character of these two gentlemen. My heart goes out to the Ping and Samis families. Please let them grieve in peace, without all of the anger for law enforcement.
Former co-worker
To: Anon & Wondering : 6/25/2009
Please read the 13th comment up from the bottom. Maybe YOU should refrain from commenting. Thanks for the honesty and the correction Todd! Regardless, this is all very trivial in context to what has happened. We should all remember the ones who lost their lives trying to help these people. That is all that matters.
Get It Right
Accident : 6/25/2009
May God Bless Wanda with peace and surround her with the love of friends at this time. Robert was a wonderful man and I have never seen a man love his wife soooo much. Our prayers go out to both hurting families.
Sherman Business
Get it right had it right : 6/25/2009
The story originally read east. When you go out to the intersection, there's one way to go if you're turning off S.H. 11, and that's west on F.M. 1417.
Todd Hutchinson, Web Editor
wow another one!!! : 6/25/2009
As well as other readers this comes as no surprise to me!Ive lived in sherman all my life and have seen several wrecks not including deaths at this same intersection.I dont live far from this chaos.Im just wondering when something is going to be done before we have another tragic accident like this.Just imagine the family of the deceased from this accident.Im sure they are devastated!!!!You get out to help someone and try to do good and lose your life...what a shame!!This could have been prevented!!!
Is anyone going to help???
Dangerous Intersections in Area : 6/25/2009
My heart goes out to all of those involved. This was a tragic accident. May God be with the survivors and their families. Another dangerous intersection that desperately needs a red light is in Sherman at the Travis Street bridge going over Hwy 82. Someone is going to get killed there as well if something is not done about it. Please CITY OF SHERMAN hear this and do something about it before it is too late.
Deeply sadened.
No Surprise? : 6/25/2009
The situation at this intersection has little to do with officials deciding to do anything but everything with drivers doing something. What more do you want? There is a STOP sign and your observation is people run it. Sounds to me like an official (TxDoT) did something, the put up a regulatory device. I'm not from the area but I travel the route from FM 1417 to SH 11 and south, and make the return trip about 4 times a month. There are turn lanes, acceleration lanes, flashing warning signals and pleanty of visibility. If familiarity breeds contempt it must certainly spawn complacency. People who pass this intersection daily are de-sensitized to the danger; therefore, they pay less attention and drive without regard for the unexpected. Its past time that those who take the wheel, take responsibility. Good sense cannot be legislated.
SG Webb, Whitesboro
East? : 6/25/2009
To "Get It Right": I do a search on this page for the word 'east' and only find it in your post. My computer says "the Nissan, driven by Margaret White, 49 of Sherman, was trying to turn west onto F.M. 1417". What do you mean?
Wondering
Turning east onto 1417 : 6/25/2009
Get It Right needs to learn how to read and 're-read' before making comments!
Anon
Tragedy : 6/25/2009
My heart goes out to the people who died and their loved ones and of course the ones injured. I have almost had a wreck there myself many times. Are people not paying attention to the (2) flashing lights? So many in this area know to slow down. Some do some dont. Hwy 11 is very dangerous. Speeders and the constant passing in no passing zones. People from side roads constantly pulling out in front of other drivers. I got side swiped one day by a pickup tailgating me. I was doing 65 and I guess that wasnt fast enough so he went around me in a no passing zone and side swiped me and he was going so fast I couldnt even get a tag number which I think I was in shock at the moment for what had happened. So people please slow down. Obey the rules of the road. Take your time. Surely you cant be in that big of a hurry to get where you need to be. Please drive defensively and careful so your loved ones can have you back home safely and also be courteous to other drivers so they can make it back home safely to their loved ones.
Concerned Tom Bean Resident
Ridiculous Intersection : 6/25/2009
I would first like to state that my Uncle was one of the men killed in this accident. For whatever reason he was taken from us and nothing will change that. Maybe the people who have the power to change the traffic enforcement in that area will finally make the necessary improvements to lessen the likelihood that this tragedy will happen again. My thoughts are with the other families involved in this horrific event.
Samis Family In Mourning
TXDOT What? : 6/25/2009
My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of those folks as well. But it is not TXDOT or anyother government department's job to monitor or safeguard us from poor drivers. As drivers. and from this story pedestrians alike, we have to use common sense while on the roadways and be aware of our fellow drivers as well as our selves!
former resident
No EXCUSE : 6/25/2009
This intersection is wide open with good visibility available from both north and south, thus I can't understand why a 68 year old would lack the common sense and level of maturity required to know better than to not reduce their speed to a defensible rate when approaching a situation such as this?? Being an old Texas raised boy, if the lighting is dusky, and I find myself approaching stationary vehicles parked along the side of the road I'm immedietly tromping my brakes and looking closely for what could likely be a black cow laying on the highway. Wake up folks, there is absolutely no excuse for these two men having been killed.
Defensive Driver
No Surprise At All! : 6/25/2009
This comes as absolutely NO surprise to anyone in the Whitewright, Tom Bean, Luella area. This is one of the worst intersections in Grayson County. There are always wrecks here and there will be more until officials decide to do something about it. We see near-accidents daily. People turning north onto 11 from 1417 run that stop sign more often than not, literally. People turning west onto 1417, as Mrs. White was doing, constantly turn in front of oncoming traffic. We stomp our brakes here regularly when heading home from Sherman and there are probably 100 potential wrecks, like this one, every day! It is beyond all of us why no one patrols this dangerous area. There is sometmes a sheriffs pickup parked about 200 yards south of this intersection (on the west side of highway 11) but I have never seen it leave unless it is lunch or quitting time. No one knows why he is sitting there as he appears totally lethargic. Grayson County officials PLEASE do something before more tragic accidents like this happen! Attention Highway Patrolmen: if you want to hand out valid tickets to true offenders, just hide out down there and watch the people run that stop sign on 1417. You will be shocked! It would take 5 of you to hand out all the tickets! You guys are the cream of the law enforcement crop - PLEASE watch this intersection and save our family and friends lives!
Old Beaner
Turning East onto 1417? : 6/25/2009
If you head north on Hwy 11 and turn east at 1417, you will drive straight into a cow pasture, after going through a barbed-wire fence. If she had turned east, there would have been no accident except for tearing up a fence maybe. Who gathers the "facts" for these stories?
Get It Right
Dangerous Intersection : 6/25/2009
This intersection averages 2 wrecks a month and too many have died over the years. The flashing yellow lights have not helped reduce the wrecks at this intersection. There needs to be stop lights and reduced speed limit signs. State Hwy 11 needs to be reduced to 55 miles per hour. What a tragic accident. It's obvious by the number of wrecks that there are blind spots and folks cannot judge vehicles going 70 mph one way and the other at 55 mph. I have stopped and helped with wrecks at this intersection, my husband, my children and my neighbors have as well. How many more lives will be lost at this dangerous intersection? My heart goes out to all the victims, may be this time TXDOT will do something that will fix the problems at this intersection....
Luella in mourning
LOCAL AND WIRE 
