STAFF REPORTS

Alfonso Medina appeared in a Van Zandt County courtroom Aug. 11, pleading guilty to a charge of manslaughter stemming from a two-vehicle accident that took place Dec. 17, 2021 south of Canton.

According to information released by troopers a short time after the accident, a pickup driven by Medina was traveling west along FM 1651 shortly after 10 a.m. Dec. 17 when he recognized a vehicle driven by 18-year old Tayler Raper of Canton traveling east on the same roadway.

Medina, who was 17 at the time, reportedly attempted to scare Raper by swerving into her lane. The two cars collided in the incident, resulting in Raper, Medina and a passenger in Medina’s car all being transported to local hospitals.

Raper would succumb to her injuries at a Tyler hospital a short time later.

Medina’s sentencing has been scheduled for Sept. 29 in a Van Zandt County courtroom.