Deputy Mike Nettles was the first emergency responder on the scene.
Three Vehicle Accident: 1 Deceased, 2 Injured (1 Flown to Houston), LIVINGSTON, January 28, 2013 - At approximately 7:30 am on January 28, 2013, a white 1998 Isuzu Amigo driven by Keleb Grigg, 19, of Livingston, was east-bound on US-190 East. Grigg failed to notice that there was a blue 2007 Lincoln Mark pickup in front of him that had slowed down to make a turn (190 at Nettles Cemetery Road). The pickup was driven by William Wydell McAbee, 34, of Livingston. Grigg swerved right to avoid McAbee but still slammed McAbee from behind. The collision knocked McAbee into the west-bound lanes of traffic and he was slammed head on by a utility truck (2008 Ford pickup). Grigg's vehicle came to rest in the center of 190. McAbee's vehicle also came to rest in the center of 190, and the utility truck (driven by Terry Ray Watson, 49, of Orange), came to rest in the grass on the west bound side of 190. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and Troopers Kevin Burman, Allen Stanton and Sergeant Nita Bowen (all with the Texas Highway Patrol). The two pickups caught fire. William McAbee was pulled from his burning vehicle and was not burned, however, he died moments later at the scene. Terry Watson had to be cut from his vehicle and sustained major injuries (including 2 broken legs) and was flown to Hermann Hospital in Houston. Keleb Grigg sustained undislosed injuries and was transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital. All traffic on 190 was blocked during investigation and cleanup. Airbags in all three vehicles deployed. Justice of the Peace, Larry Whitworth performed an inquest at the scene. A first-call car from Cochran Funeral Home transported William McAbee from the scene. According to investigating officer, Trooper Kevin Burman, Keleb Grigg is facing charges pending the investigation of the accident. A rollback wrecker from Fawbush Body Shop recovered Keleb Grigg's vehicle and it will be stored in Goodrich. William McAbee's vehicle was recovered by Harwood Wrecker Service and will be stored at 101 Harwood Drive in Livingston, and Terry Watson's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing and will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston. The scene was cleared in about 3 hours.
Special thank you: Derek Baskin and Ken withKen's Towing
Firemen from Livingston doused the fire that consumed William McAbee's vehicle. McAbee was pulled from the wreckage and not burned.
McAbee was slammed from behind by this 1998 Isuzu Amigo driven by Keleb Grigg, 19, of Livingston.
McAbeee's vehicle was knocked into the west-bound lanes of 190 and he had a head on collision with this 2008 Ford Utility Truck driven by Terry Ray Watson, 49, of Orange.
Trooper Kevin Burman (center) communicates with Watson. Watson sustained major injuries (including 2 broken legs). Burman is the investigating officer.
McAbee's 2007 Lincoln Mark was totaled by fire.
Terry Watson's utility truck was also totaled. The truck belongs to JW Power Company.
Justice of the Peace, Larry Whitworth performed an inquest at the scene.
William McAbee was transported from the scene by Cochran Funeral Home.
McAbee's vehicle was recovered by Harwood Wrecker Service.
Grigg's vehicle was recovered by Fawbush Wrecker Service.
Watson's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing.
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