Elanora Steen's 2011 Chevy Impala's front passenger side collided with a guard rail.
Courteous Driver Takes Out Guard Rail on US-146, SCHWAB CITY, February 25, 2011 - At approximately 2:40 pm on February 25, 2011, a tan 2011 Chevy Impala driven by Elanora Moor Steen, 87, of Rye, was north-bound on US-146 near East Schwab Road, when she moved over to the shoulder to allow an 18 wheeler to pass. As Steen was driving on the shoulder and waiting for the rig to pass, she suddenly came upon a large tire laid out on the shoulder. Steen took evasive active and appeared to have swerved right and collided with the guard rail near a creek. The collision knocked a section of the guard rail off into the grass as it flew apart like it's designed to do. During the collision, Steen's front passenger's side tire was ripped from the car and landed on the other side of the road in the grass. Steen's vehicle spun around and came to rest facing south (opposite direction of her travel). Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the South Polk County Volunteer Fire Department, Deputy Darren Crow with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Trooper Ramey Bass with the Texas Highway Patrol. Fortunately, Elanora Steen was not injured in the accident. Steen did have insurance. No citations were issued. A rollback wrecker from Ken's Towing recovered Steen's vehicle and it will be stored at Polock's Body Shop in Livingston. The scene was cleared by 3:30 pm.
Elanora Steen speaks with Trooper Ramey Bass with the Texas Highway Patrol. Bass investigated the accident.
Steen's front tire flew off and made its way to the other side of 146.
The guard rail is designed to fly apart when hit by a vehicle, thus absorbing the blow and slowing down the vehicle.
Steen's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing.
If you would like to comment on this story, we'd love to hear from you. Your name will be listed with your comment when it's posted in the Letters to the editor.
