A quiet stretch of road in Grayson County became the scene of a life-altering tragedy, leaving a mother to face an unthinkable loss and a community rallying to help her through the aftermath.
A tragic car crash in Van Alstyne, Texas, has claimed the lives of a father and his two young children. The incident took place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, around 12:30 p.m., on Farm-to-Market Road 3133, just west of Jim Cannon Road, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS).
Authorities say the crash involved three vehicles. A Dodge 3500, driven by 63-year-old Rocky Patterson of Rowlett, attempted to pass a Toyota Tacoma in a no-passing zone while heading uphill.
During the attempt, Patterson’s vehicle collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado, which then caught fire. The Dodge also struck the Toyota Tacoma, according to officials.
The driver of the Silverado, 41-year-old Tommy Moorehead III from Leonard, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two children, ages 4 and 6, who were also in the Silverado, died at the scene as well, according to the TxDPS.
The driver of the Toyota Tacoma received treatment at the crash site, officials stated. Patterson was taken to Baylor Scott White Health in McKinney for treatment before being arrested and taken into custody on Sunday. The extent of his injuries has not been made public.
He was later booked into the Grayson County Jail and charged with three counts of second-degree felony manslaughter. His bond was set at $3 million.
Trenton Independent School District responded to the news on Monday with a public statement mourning the loss. The district confirmed that one of the children who died was a first-grade student.
“Our district will have extra help on the elementary campus tomorrow to assist students and staff as needed,” the statement read. “If extra assistance is needed beyond tomorrow, we will make arrangements for that as well.”
As of now, the TxDPS has said the investigation into the crash remains active. It is not yet known whether Patterson has secured legal representation.
Following the devastating crash that claimed the lives of Tommy and his two children, support has poured in for his wife, Brooke Mustard Moorehead.
A GoFundMe campaign, organized by Carmen Hall, has been launched to assist Brooke in covering funeral costs and other unforeseen expenses. “In a single instant, Brooke lost everything,” read a part of the description on the online fundraising page.
