HENDERSON/VAN ZANDT COUNTIES–Two tragic weekend accidents have claimed the lives of a local teen and a law enforcement officer.
According to DPS preliminary reports, around 2:30 a.m. June 11, Haylie Grimes, 17, of Gun Barrel City was on the shoulder of FM 317 approximately 3.5 miles from Athens speaking to the driver of a vehicle stopped partially in the westbound lane. Samuel Bautista, 19, of Athens went around the parked vehicle in a no-passing zone and came to a stop in the eastbound lane to pick up Grimes. 
As Grimes walked across the road to join Bautista, according to the report, Chance Tyler Barnhart, 19, of Athens failed to control his speed and struck Grimes, as well as Bautista’s vehicle. Grimes was pronounced deceased at the scene. Bautista was treated at the scene and released.
Barnhart was arrested and transported for a voluntary blood draw after the incident. He was charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, a second-degree felony, and was booked into Henderson County Jail. As of press time, no bond has been set.
According to DPS preliminary investigation, around 4:15 p.m. June 11, Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jeremy McCoy was off-duty and in his personal vehicle with one of his children when an accident occurred on Highway 198 near Phalba.
Reports stated that McCoy was traveling south when he collided with a truck that was turning into a private drive.  McCoy’s child was life-flighted to a Dallas hospital with non-life threatening injuries, but McCoy was pronounced dead at the scene.
McCoy had devoted 16 years of his life to local law enforcement, beginning his career with the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office and going on to work for Tool Police Department and Seven Points Police Department before joining Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office in May 2022.
Seven Points Police Chief Raymond Wennerstrom said of McCoy after his passing, “It is so hard to even imagine that you are gone brother! I remember all the times we worked together at Tool and the laughs we shared! I will never forget the day you came to work for me at Seven Points Police Department… I will miss you and I am praying for your family and for your extended family as well. Rest high brother and we have it for now! Love you man.”
McCoy is survived by his wife and four children.