The entire rear half of Heather Rash's Metro was caved in.
3 Hospitalized, 1 by Life Flight in Major Accident, SODA, February 16, 2009 - At approximately 10:22 am on February 15, 2009 a blue 1990 Geo Metro driven by Heather Rash, 25, of Livingston was east-bound on US-190 East when she stopped to wait for the vehicle in front of her to make a left turn. While waiting Rash's vehicle was slammed from behind by a gray 2008 Dodge Truck driven by Oscar Torno, 82, of Onalaska. The collision (190 and Darden Road) pushed both vehicles off the road to the left of 190 where they came to rest in the grass. The entire rear half of Rash's Geo Metro was caved in. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with Sheriff's Deputy Chris Lima and DPS Troopers Sam Lattner, Brent Murray, and Ramey Bass. Firemen utilized the Jaws of Life to extract Rash and her 10 year old passenger from their vehicle. Rash sustained severe injuries and was transported by PHI Helicopter to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, and her 10 year old female passenger was transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital by Americare Ambulance Service. Torno's airbags deployed and he sustained seatbelt injuries and other injuries and was transported to Livingston Memorial by private vehicle. All traffic on 190 was blocked as the road was turned into a landing Zone for the Life Flight helicopter. Torno was issued a citation for failure to control speed and he did have insurance. Rash's insurance status is unconfirmed. Torno's vehicle was towed by Ken's Towing and will be stored at George White & Sons in Onalaska, Rash's vehicle was towed by Harwood Wrecker Service and will be stored in Livingston. The scene was cleared and traffic fully flowing shortly after 12 noon.
A special thank you to DPS Trooper Ramey Bass.
Tiremarks show where the vehicles went off the pavement to the left of the highway
The jaws-of-life were utilized to extract Rash and her 10 year old passenger from the car.
Both of Oscar Torno's airbags deployed.
US-190 East was turned into a landing zone for PHI Helicopter.
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