Volunteer Firemen are all over the vehicle of Kenneth Lockhart as they work feverishly to safely remove him for EMS personnel.
Frightful Scene on 146 in Two Vehicle Accident, LIVINGSTON, March 15, 2009 - At approximately 8:40 pm on March 14, 2009, a black 1992 Mitsubishi Mighty Max truck driven by Kenneth Ray Lockhart, 44, of Livingston was north-bound on US-146. As Lockhart was about to pass the Escapees RV Park, a Gray 1987 Chrysler sedan driven by Gary Romo Collier, 52, of Davis California attempted to turn out of the Escapees parking lot but failed to yield right-of-way to Lockhart. Lockhart's vehicle slammed into the rear of Collier's vehicle totaling both. Collier's went off the road to the left and into a grassy drainage area while Lockhart's vehicle went off the road to the right and came to rest in the grass. Collier's vehicle caught fire and in a matter of minutes was completely engulfed in flames. Collier was able to safely get out of his vehicle, however, Lockhart was pinned in his vehicle. Livingston Volunteer Fire Department arrived to both put out the car fire, and to utilize the Jaws-of-Life to free Lockhart. When Lockhart was removed he was determined to have life threatening injuries and life flight was summoned, however, life flight was called off due to bad weather. A team of DPS troopers, including Trooper Kevin Burman, and several Polk County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the scene. Lockhart was treated at the scene and transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital. Collier was checked out at the scene but was physically okay. The collision left debris in the middle of 146 and down in the drainage area where Collier's vehicle came to rest. All traffic on 146 was halted as the accident was being investigated and cleared. Both parties had insurance. Collier will be issued a citation for failure to yield right-of-way. Lockhart's vehicle was towed by a rollback wrecker from Fawbush Wrecker Service and will be stored at Fawbush on 59 North in Livingston, while Collier's vehicle was towed by a rollback wrecker from Harwood Wrecker Service and it will be stored at Harwood in Livingston. The scene was cleared and traffic fully flowing by 10:30 pm.
A special thank you to PolkCountyToday.com Assignment Editor Stash Anderson and Trooper Kevin Burman.
Gary Collier's vehicle burns prior to firemen arriving on the scene.
Livingston Firemen scramble for hoses as they prepare to extinguish a car fire.
Firemen from Livingston extinguish flames of Gary Collier's vehicle.
Kenneth Ray Lockhart of Livingston is treated at the scene.
Life flight was summoned but cancelled because of weather. Lockart is loaded on an Americare Ambulance and transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital.
DPS Trooper Kevin Burman investigates Lockhart's vehicle.
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