25 year old Johnathan Cortez, of Huntington, was driving this Toyota Tundra south on US-59 and was slammed from behind when he was stopped for a school bus.
Truck Stopped for School Bus Slammed, NEW WILLARD, February 26, 2020 - Shortly after 6 am on February 26, 2020, a white Toyota Tundra, driven by Johnathan Cortez, 25, of Huntington, was south-bound on US-59 (just south of the weigh station). Cortez stopped for a school bus and was slammed from behind by a black Chevy Tahoe, driven by Gale Williams, 69, of Chester. Cortez pulled his pickup to the shoulder, Williams' vehicle came to rest in center median. Allegiance Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with Troopers Colton McQuilkin and Brent Henry with the Texas Highway Patrol. During the impact, Williams' passenger, Benny Johnson, 66, of Chester was injured when his head struck the windshield. Both Williams and Johnson were transported by ambulance to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital. Cortez was physically okay. Williams was cited for failure to control speed. Traffic was not blocked during investigation and cleanup. Williams' vehicle was recovered by All Star Wrecker Service and will be stored in Livingston. Cortez's vehicle (a company vehicle) was sent for.
69 year old Gale Williams, of Chester, was also south-bound and didn't notice Corez's stopped pickup when her vehicle impacted his.
With what appears to be a severely bent frame, the pickup will more than likely be considered totaled.
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