Mineral Wells Area News

By Amy Meyer / Mineral Wells Area News

Jerrel Tomlin, City Councilman and Pastor of the Mineral Wells Church of God, is usually the man who people turn too for help with challenging life situations.

However, a tragic, fatal crash on September 22nd between his SUV and a motorcycle driven by 43-year-old Sam Lee, has left Tomlin at a loss for words.

When asked to describe what he is feeling, the only word Tomlin could use was despair. He has very little recall of the incident but sat down with local media officials to discuss the accident.

Tomlin answered questions for about 20 minutes and Mineral Wells Area News is publishing the entire interview on YouTube which can be accessed in the video below.

Tomlin is visibly broken by the tragic accident and has yet to get behind the wheel of a car, with no desire to do so. He is leaning on his wife Melanie and other senior clergymen from his 40 year pastoral career to help guide him.

He did however return to his congregation this weekend to minister to a full crowd of parishioners, two weeks to the day of the crash. He has repeatedly asked his church to pray for Lee’s family, who leaves behind his wife Crystal and two children.

Also worth mentioning is that Tomlin was noticeably absent from the regular City Council meeting held this past week and says he is unsure when and if he will return to his position in City government, exclaiming he doesn’t want to be a distraction to the Council.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the accident that occurred on FM 1821 near Ellis White Road and tells MWAN that it will take a few months to complete.