Texas Crash Claims Father and Two Young Children in Tragic, Preventable Collision
What began as an ordinary drive through rural Texas ended in heartbreak and loss when a reckless act behind the wheel changed everything in an instant.
On a quiet stretch of FM-3133, near the small community of Van Alstyne, a father and his two children were killed in a fiery three-vehicle crash that has left their family shattered and the local community in mourning.
Tommy Moorehead III, 41, was behind the wheel of a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado on Saturday afternoon, his four-year-old son, Tommy Jr., and six-year-old daughter, Lynnlee, in tow. Their truck was struck head-on by a Dodge 3500 pickup truck that had attempted to illegally pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The force of the collision caused Moorehead’s vehicle to burst into flames. All three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene—lives lost in a matter of moments.
The driver of the Dodge, 63-year-old Rocky Patterson, survived and was taken into custody. He now faces three counts of second-degree felony manslaughter. He remains in the Grayson County Jail with a bond set at $3 million, while investigators continue to gather details about the crash.
A Mother’s Unimaginable Grief
Left behind in the wake of this tragedy is Brooke Mustard Moorehead—Tommy’s wife and the mother of little Lynnlee and Tommy Jr. Now facing a life that no parent or spouse should ever have to imagine, Brooke is surrounded by an outpouring of support from friends, family, and even strangers.
A GoFundMe campaign launched in her name paints a picture of a woman adored by her community: “Brooke has been a pillar of strength in our lives for years—quietly giving, never asking for anything in return. She’s the heart of our restaurant family, always showing up with a smile and a helping hand.”
The fundraiser continues: “Tommy was more than a husband—he was a rock. He worked hard, loved harder, and found purpose in fatherhood. Lynnlee was curious and bursting with energy, and little Tommy Jr. had a light that made people smile just by walking into a room.”
The campaign, created to help cover funeral expenses and provide financial relief to Brooke in the aftermath of this tragedy, has raised more than $92,000 of its $150,000 goal as of this writing.
A Community in Mourning
Van Alstyne and the surrounding towns have come together in grief. Candlelight vigils have been held. Notes and flowers rest near the crash site. Local businesses have shared their condolences, urging people to donate or share Brooke’s story. Strangers have dropped off meals, prayers, and handwritten letters at her door.
Many are left asking the same anguished question: how could something so devastating happen so quickly—and so senselessly?
“This was preventable,” said one family friend. “One careless decision, one illegal move, and now an entire future is gone. We can’t bring them back—but we can make sure Brooke isn’t left to carry this alone.”
Final Thoughts
In a moment, three bright lives were extinguished, leaving behind only memories and the aching silence of absence. As the legal process moves forward and a grieving mother begins to rebuild her world from the wreckage, the collective support of a heartbroken community stands as a reminder that compassion matters.
This tragedy is not just a headline—it’s a plea for safer roads, for mindful decisions, and for each of us to recognize how quickly life can change.
If you’d like to help, consider contributing to the GoFundMe for Brooke Moorehead or sharing her story with those who may be moved to do the same. Because even in the darkest moments, kindness remains a light.