1 dead in multi-vehicle crash in North Texas – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Many in the Collin County Courthouse are mourning the loss of a beloved colleague who was killed Monday in a six-vehicle pileup in Anna.

The Collin County District Clerk's Office has now identified that person as Katrina Shelby. Shelby was the office's lead court clerk for nearly eight years.

The Collin County District Clerk's Office released a statement Tuesday saying:

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Katrina Shelby, a valued and respected member of our team. Katrina was a dedicated Lead Clerk in the Collin County District Clerk's Office, where she served with dedication and excellence for nearly eight years. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time, and we extend our support to our team as we grieve together.”

“As an elected official, you have to deal with a lot; you have to deal with a lot,” said Collin County County Clerk Mike Gould. “But no one tells you how to deal with a loss.”

Tuesday afternoon, Shelby's office was dark, her door was closed, and her schedule was set for the day she wouldn't show up for work.

“Knowing that you can't say goodbye to her, knowing that she's not there, it's truly a tragedy. It's something that I just walked into my office this morning with my head in my hands,” Gould said.

Police said Shelby was killed in a six-vehicle pileup in Anna around 12:15 a.m. Monday during lane closures on a stretch of U.S. Highway 75 that is under construction.

As of this week, the city of Anna said congestion has increased. City officials said the Mantua Road bridge and ramps leading to the off-ramp were closed Monday for a six-month project.

“Traffic safety and congestion are an issue,” said Anna City Manager Ryan Henderson.

Henderson said the city wants to prevent another tragedy and is actively working with TxDOT to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety on state-owned roads.

“We have reached out to TxDOT and they are willing to sit down with us to improve safety measures,” Henderson said.

Gould and his team of more than 80 people are remembering Shelby with a memorial at the courthouse. He described Shelby as a dedicated clerk, wife and mother who died on her way to take senior photos with her daughter in Pottsboro.

“That's the heartbreaking part, that she was going to have something wonderful happen to her and then her life was tragically cut short,” Gould said. “That's the horrible part. It's just horrible.”

Two victims of the accident were taken to hospital, four other people involved refused medical attention at the scene.

Anna police and other Collin County Sheriff's Office responders are investigating what caused the crash. No charges have been filed.

One person was killed in a multi-vehicle accident in Anna on Monday afternoon.