Rachel Valero's 1999 Ford Escort slammed into a telephone pole and may have damaged a fiber optic line.
Intoxicated and Texting, Driver Hits Pole on FM-3277, SCENIC LOOP, February 6, 2011 - Shortly after 2 am on February 6, 2011, a silver 1999 Ford Escort driven by Rachel Valero, 48, of Livingston was east-bound on FM-3277, when her vehicle left the road to the right, went through the grass and slammed into a telephone pole. Valero admitted that she was texting while driving. Deputy Lee Rogers was dispatched to the scene along with Corporal Sam Lattner, Sergeant Nita Bowen, and Trooper Kevin Burman (all with the Texas Highway Patrol). Corporal Lattner administered a field sobriety test on Valero, and she agreed to take a portable breathalyzer test at which point she blew nearly twice the legal limit. Lattner placed Valero under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Traffic was not blocked during investigation and cleanup. Valero did have insurance. A rollback wrecker from LakeView Wrecker Service recovered Valero's vehicle and it will be stored in Livingston. The scene was cleared by 3:30 am.
Trooper Kevin Burman (left) and Coporal Lee Rogers investigate.
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Corporal Sam Lattner administers a field sobriety test on Rachel Valero.
Lattner places Valero under arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Valero ran right over what appeared to be a junction box for fiber optic cable. This could interrupt internet service for some.
What appears to be fiber optic cable was damaged when the collision knocked off the cover to these cables.
Valero's vehicle was recovered by LakeView Wrecker Service.
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