Major Argument Precedes Major Accident, Couple Flown Out, NEW WILLARD, March 3, 2016 - Shortly after 3 pm on March 3, 2016, a black GMC Yukon driven by Douglas Blake Vasut, 31, of Corrigan, was south-bound on US-59. Vasut was allegedly having an argument with his female passenger, Sarah Isabella Carter, 21, of Diboll. Vasut allegedly pressed the gas and began accelerating. Vasut allegedly came up behind an 18 wheeler and was about to slam into the rear-end of the rig when Carter grabbed the steering wheel forcing the vehicle to suddenly swerve right. Vasut's vehicle left the pavement to the right and rolled as it slammed roof first into a tree. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit, Deputy Rey Davalos with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Troopers Kevin Burman, Donny Akers, Shawn Droddy, and Brent Henry with the Texas Highway Patrol. Trooper Henry was the first emergency responder on the scene and radioed for help. Both Vasut and Carter were trapped in their vehicle. Volunteer Firemen used the Jaws-of-Life to cut into the vehicle to gain access to them. Both Vasut and Carter were removed and loaded into ambulances. PHi Air Medical landed two helicopters as both Vasut and Carter were both loaded and flown to Conroe Regional Hospital with undisclosed injuries. Unopened beer was found in the vehicle and a syringe was also found. All traffic on 59 was blocked during flight operations. No citations have been issued at this time as the accident remains under investigation. A rollback wrecker from Riley Wrecker Service out of Corrigan recovered Vasut's vehicle and it will be stored in Corrigan.
Volunteer Firemen from Livingston work to free 31 year old Douglas Vasut, of Corrigan and 21 year old Sarah Carter, of Diboll.
Emergency personnel removed Carter from the vehicle.
Carter was carried to and loaded into an ambulance.
Vasut was carefully removed from the vehicle by emergency personnel.
Tire marks show the path and lead to Vasut's vehicle.
Accident Investigator, Trooper Kevin Burman looks closely at a syringe that was found in Vasut's vehicle (also pictured is Trooper Donny Akers at right).
Carter is loaded into a PHi Air Medical helicopter.
As Carter's helicopter lifts off from the north-bound lanes of 59, a second helicopter (background) had just landed to transport Vasut.
Vasut is loaded into a PHi Air Medical helicopter.
Riley Wrecker Service recovered Vasut's vehicle.
Mixi, Molly, and Heidi were on duty for PolkCountyToday.com.
If you would like to comment on this story, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at pctletters@gmail.com. Be sure to include the story subject in the subject line of your email, also list your name and town in your letter. Your letter will be posted in Letters to the Editor.
