By Bonnie Culverhouse

A Minden man and his wife are dead, following a motor vehicle accident in Panola County Sunday morning.

Hunter Wilkes and Alexis Wilkes, both 21, died at the scene of the two-vehicle crash around 250 feet south of Carthage, Texas.

The couple’s 2-month-old son Jett was slightly injured. He was taken to UT Health East Texas Carthage and has been released to family members.

According to the Carthage branch of the Department of Public Safety, a 2008 Dodge Ram was towing a trailer traveling north on US 59 in the left lane. A 2021 Mazda CX5, driven by Hunter Wilkes, was traveling west on Loop 59 exit ramp, attempting to turn left onto US 59. The Mazda reportedly entered the intersection and was hit by the pickup.

Jerry Galloway, 79, from Fort Smith, Ark., was the driver of the pick-up truck. He was taken to UT Health East Texas Carthage in stable condition.

All parties were reportedly wearing safety belts.

Green Acres Missionary Baptist Church posted on Facebook today that thoughts and prayers are with the Wilkes and Nolte families during a time of tragic loss.

“Hunter and Lexi both went into the arms of the Lord on the scene. Baby Jett survived with minor injuries,” the post read. 

Hunter was serving as associate pastor at Eastside Baptist Church in Gary, Texas. 

Jimmy Williams, with Minden Athletic Supply and Williams Silkscreen, said Hunter had worked for him at one time.

“I know he played baseball at Minden High School,” Williams said. “It wasn’t that long ago. He was pretty young. It’s really sad.”

Hunter’s father, Mike Wilkes, is the Dean at LMBIS (Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute & Seminary) in Minden.

Calvary Baptist Church, 1400 Homer Road, posted the following:

If you would like to send a card to the families you can drop it off by the church office between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. (today, Tuesday, December 21) or cards will be available in the church office if you would like to fill one out. Calvary will take care of getting them to the family.