Driver Goes Airborne, Slams Into Tree, Intoxication Suspected, LIVINGSTON, January 25, 2015 - At approximately 2:25 pm on January 25, 2015 a green 1998 Chevy pickup driven by Charles Buffington, 42, of Livingston, was east-bound on Providence Road (next to Escapees RV Park). Buffington's pickup left the pavement to the right and proceeded through the soft (from recent rains) grass. Buffington's vehicle caught the ground at some point causing his vehicle to go airborne and slam into a large pine tree. His vehicle came to rest upright on the pavement. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and Troopers Ashlee McBride and Kevin Burman with the Texas Highway Patrol. Buffington was removed from his vehicle and transported by Ambulance to a landing zone off FM-2665 where he was flown out by helicopter to Hermann Hospital in Houston with serious injuries. Pill bottles were found in Buffington's vehicle which leads to suspicion of intoxication. All traffic on Providence was blocked during investigation and cleanup. According to Trooper McBride, no citations have been issued as the accident remains under investigation. A rollback wrecker from Fawbush Wrecker Service recovered Buffington's vehicle and it will be stored in Goodrich.
Fresh impact marks on this pine tree show that Charles Buffington's pickup was airborne.
Tire marks in the grass show the path of Buffington's vehicle to his point of impact with the tree.
Trooper Kevin Burman (left) assisted Trooper McBride with the investigation.
Buffington's vehicle was recovered by Fawbush Wrecker Service.
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