Kendra Venzant's vehicle struck the end of the guard rail and slid into the median.
Asleep at the Wheel, Driver Takes Out Guard Rail, 3 Hospitalized, NEW WILLARD, January 8, 2011 - Shortly after 9 am on January 8, 2011, a silver 2000 Buick LeSabre driven by Kendra Venzant, 22, of Houston was north-bound on US-59 just south of Loop 116 when she allegedly fell asleep at the wheel and veered off the road to the left. Venzant's vehicle slammed into the end of a guard rail damaging the rail as she slid into the grassy median. Americare Ambulance service was dispatched to the scene along with Deputy Larry Pitts with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Trooper Kevin Burman with the Texas Highway Patrol. Venzant and her 2 passengers were transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The left lane of traffic was blocked on the north-bound side as the accident was being investigated and cleared. Venzant had insurance and no citations were issued. A rollback wrecker from Ken's Towing recovered Venzant's vehicle and it will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston. The scene was cleared by 10 am. Texas Department of Transportion was notified of the damaged guard rail and will do the necessary repairs.
Trooper Kevin Burman (right) investigated the accident.
Venzant's airbags deployed.
Venzant's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing and will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston.
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