Jose Rafael Pena-Funez's 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette struck an 18 wheeler in Goodrich.
Car Strikes 18 Wheeler, 2 Hospitalized, GOODRICH, January 15, 2016 - Shortly before 7 am on January 15, 2016, a red 2000 Pontiac Silhouette, driven by Jose Rafael Pena-Funez, 37, of Cleveland, was north-bound on US-59 in the vicinity of Goodrich. Pena-Funez struck the driver's side back half of an 18 wheeler trailer. The 18 wheeler (driven by Edgar Ortega, 37, of Houston) had pulled out from the Goodrich truckstop and was north-bound. Ortega quickly moved into the far right lane, but failed to yield to Pena-Funez. The vehicles collided. Pena-Funez managed to pull his vehicle into the crossover in front of Lonestar Charlie's Restaurant. Ortega turned his rig around and eventually pulled it into the truckstop parking lot on the north-bound side. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with Corporal Mark Dubose and Deputy David Sottasani with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and Troopers Donny Akers, Allen Stanton, and Chris Cain with the Texas Highway Patrol. Pena-Funez and his passenger both sustained what appeared to be serious injuries. Both were transported to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital by ambulance. Traffic was not blocked during investigation and cleanup. Ortega was cited for changing lanes while unsafe. A rollback wrecker from Fawbush Wrecker recovered Pena-Funez's vehicle and it will be stored in Goodrich.
WARNING: The images below show scenes from a major accident with injuries. If any of this offends you in any way, DO NOT scroll down this page.
This 18 wheeler was driven by 35 year old Edgar Ortega, of Houston.
Pena-Funez sits on the ground in serious pain at the crossover on US-59 in front of Lonestar Charlie's Restaurant.
Pena-Funez and his passenger were both transported by ambulance to CHI Livingston Memorial Hopsital.
Shards of glass from Pena-Funez's vehicle on the underside rail of Ortega's trailer show where the minivan's windshield impacted.
Trooper Donny Akers cited Ortega for changing lanes while unsafe.
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