Good Samaritan: Motorist Kevin Hendrix of Big Sandy pulled John Vonberg, Jr. from a burning vehicle to safety.
Crash and Burn, Vehicle Rollover in East Polk County, BIG SANDY, February 26, 2013 - At around 7:15 pm a 2005 Chevy Equinox driven by John Vincent Vonberg, Jr, 39, of Orange, was north-bound on FM-1276. According to witnesses, voberg swerved into the oncoming south-bound lane of traffic, then overcorrected to the north-bound lane, left the road, slammed into a tree and rolled. Vonberg's vehicle caught fire. Vonberg had 11 year old and 14 year old boys in the car with him. The boys climbed out of the car to saftey. A good samaritan who witnessed the wreck, Kevin Hendrix, of Big Sandy, helped pull Vonberg to safety. Vonberg's vehicle became engulfed in flames and burned. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Segno Volunteer Fire Department, Indian Springs, and Alabama Coushatta VFDs. Additionally, Corporal David Ramsey with the Polk County Sheriff's Office was dispatched and Trooper Chad Seamans with the Texas Highway Patrrol. Vonberg and his 2 child passengers were transported by ambulance to Livingston Memorial Hosptial with undisclosed injuries. Witnesses stated that Vonberg was belligerent. Traffic was partially blocked during investigation and cleanup. According to Trooper Seamans, Vonberg was cited for driving on the wrong side of the road. A rollback wrecker from Fawbush Body Shop recovered the burned frame and it will be stored in Goodrich.
John Vonberg, Jr. sits in an ambulance after rolling his vehicle on FM-1276 near Camp Ruby Road.
Firemen were able to put out the car fire, however, a magnesium fire persisted...
...the magnesium fire wouldn't go away...
...a regular fire hose with water wouldn't put out the magnesium fire, so a fire extinguisher was tried, but couldn't put the fire out...
...finally, truck was brought in with foam fire retardant.
The flame retardant foam had to be sprayed on the fire for a while...
...but the foam was finally successful. The magnesium fire had to be smothered in foam.
John Vonberg's 2005 Chevy Equinox sits upside down literally burned to a crisp.
Trooper Chad Seamans is the investigating officer. Corporal David Ramsey (left) with the Polk County Sheriff's Office assisted Seamans.
Mixi & Molly (the M&M Sisters) were on duty.
Vonberg's vehicle was recovered by Fawbush Body Shop.
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