On the morning of October 15, 2025, a tragic collision on FM 2015 near Winona claimed the life of Brandi Carter, 35, of Tyler, and left Jeremiah Munoz, 31, also of Tyler, facing serious criminal charges. The crash unfolded around 7:00 a.m. just north of County Road 345 in Smith County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Munoz was driving northbound when investigators say his vehicle veered into the southbound lane and collided head-on with Carter’s car. The impact was violent, causing major damage to both vehicles. First responders arrived quickly, but Carter succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers at the site observed signs that Munoz might have been intoxicated. After conducting a field investigation, they arrested him and booked him into the Smith County Jail, charging him with intoxication manslaughter.
For several hours, authorities closed that section of FM 2015 while they performed crash reconstruction, gathering evidence and piecing together how exactly the events played out leading up to the collision.
The Texas DPS is continuing their investigation to confirm the precise sequence of events, what may have caused Munoz to cross over, and whether any other factors—speed, distractions, mechanical issues—played a role.
Brandi Carter’s untimely death has sent ripples through her community in Tyler, where friends and family remember her as warm, full of life, and devoted to loved ones. While authorities work to clarify the facts, Munoz now faces the weight of a homicide charge and a long legal battle ahead.