Gilmer – Walter John Gatherer Dies in Solo-Car Crash on US 271

Gilmer law enforcement officials have released the name of the driver who died after crashing his vehicle into trees on US Highway 271, north of Gilmer.

The fatality was identified as Walter John Gatherer, 77. He was a resident of Mount Pleasant.

According to initial reports, the incident happened at around 6:18 p.m. last Saturday. A vehicle driven by Walter Gatherer was traveling along the northbound lanes of the highway when, for reasons that had not been determined, it drifted off the roadway and struck a number of trees nearby.

Gatherer sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Upshur County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Lyle Potter. His body was taken to Southeast Forensic Medical Center in Tyler for an autopsy.

Further information will be released once the investigation is completed.

We believe that when someone loses a loved one from a car accident, they do not only suffer emotionally but financially as well. If you or your loved one is a victim of a car accident caused by wrongful actions or due to negligence, you may have the right to file for legal claims. Most of the time, families who are left behind after a tragic loss are not aware of their rights and the legal processes needed to obtain fair and just compensation. In times like this, you would need a professional who can provide you with all the support you need as you go through this difficult time. Talk to your personal injury or car accident lawyer for assistance.

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), car accidents happen almost every minute of the day, and for every 16 minutes, a car accident occurs that results in death. So that is about 6 million car accidents every year and 90 people dying in car accidents every day in the U.S. alone. Despite the government’s aggressive efforts to keep these cases down, Texas remains the worst state in the country for alcohol-involved car crashes.