Traffic was rerouted as two heads of cattle lie wounded on 59 North in Moscow.
3 Vehicle Accident Involving Cattle Trailer Causes Beef with 5 pm Commuters, MOSCOW, February 23, 2009 - Shortly before 5 pm on February 23, 2009, a green 1995 Chevy 1500 truck pulling a cattle trailer and being driven by J.D. Houston, 80, of Moscow, was east-bound on FM-350 and pulled out onto US-59 south-bound into oncoming traffic. Houston was struck by a tan 1998 Ford Contour being driven by Billie Dixon, 22, of Deer Park. Dixon tried to avoid Houston but slid sideways clipping Houston's trailer and busting the rear axel of Dixon's car. Dixon slid into oncoming traffic of the north-bound side of 59 as his vehicle stopped facing sideways in the inside lane of the north-bound side. Houston pulled his truck and trailer over to the right lane of the north-bound side of 59 and stopped. At that point an 18 wheeler tanker truck carrying a flammable petroleum and driven by William Bradshaw, 52, with Quality Carriers out of Tampa, Florida narrowly missed Dixon's car and tried to avoid Houston's rig as the rear passenger's side of Bradshaw's tanker slammed Houston's trailer. Bradshaw managed to control his tanker and pulled into the center median of 59 a short distance ahead. Houston's cargo was thrown out onto 59. That cargo was a full grown cow and a calf. Both heads of cattle completely blocked both of the north bound lanes of 59 as both animals were immobilized by multiple fractures. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene and Houston was transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital with multiple injuries. The other vehicle drivers were okay.
J.D. Houston's cattle trailer was pulverized by an oncoming 18 wheeler.
DPS Troopers Chris Stanbery, David Flowers, Brent Henry, and Game Warden Chuck Cotton along with Sheriff's Deputy James Romero were all dispatched to the scene. Traffic on 59 north was diverted to the center median as the accident was being investigated and dealt with. Houston was issued a citation for failure to yield right-of-way, while Dixon was issued a citation for expired vehicle registration. Dr. David Carbo with Area Wide Vet Clinic out of Livingston was summoned and had to put both animals to sleep since both had multiple broken bones. The animals were removed from the scene with a front end loader provided by Texas Department of Transportation and were taken to a nearby landfill and disposed of. Dixon's vehicle was recovered by a rollback wrecker from Ken's towing, Houston's truck was recovered by a rollback from Fawbush Wrecker Service, and the cattle trailer was recovered by a rollback wrecker from Harwood Wrecker Service (all three will be stored in Livingston). The scene was cleared and traffic fully flowing by 7 pm.
Billie Dixon's '98 Ford Contour was narrowly missed by the 18 wheeler.
William Bradshaw's tanker sustained serious damage but held up and didn't leak any of its flammable contents.
DPS Trooper Brent Henry assesses damage on William Bradshaw's tanker as Bradshaw looks on.
DPS Troopers are highly trained in accident investigations.
Veterianrian David Carbo prepares to inject the cow as (from left) troopers David Flowers, Chris Stanbery, and Game Warden Chuck Cotton look on.
T.D.O.T. front end loader removes the now deceased animals from the roadway to open up traffic once again.
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