1 Person Killed in Head On Collision, ONALASKA, March 20, 2015 - Shortly after midnight on March 20, 2015, a white 1997 Ford F-350, driven by Lee Kimes, 34, of Huntsville, was driving west-bound over the big bridge in Onalaska. Evidence at the scene suggests that a black 2012 Chevy Equinox, driven by Brian Schiffel, 26, of Montgomery, was east-bound and veered into Kimes' lane causing a head on collision. Kimes' vehicle came to rest against the guardrail on the west-bound side, while Schiffel's vehicle came to rest in the middle of the pavement. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Onalaska Volunteer Fire Department, Officer Paul Benfer with Onalaska Police Department, Deputies Victor White and Corporal Adam Norris with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Barret Duren and Sergeant Sam Latter with the Texas Highway Patrol. Officer Benfer was the first emergency responder on the scene and immediately summoned help (including a Justice of the Peace). Brian Schiffell was killed on impact. Firemen used the Jaws-of-Life as Schiffel's passenger, Jeanette Hanna, 25, of Chapel Hill, was carefully removed from her vehicle and transported to ambulance to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital. Lee Kimes was extracted from his vehicle and also transported to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital (both with undisclosed injuries). All traffic on the Onalaska big bridge was blocked during investigation and cleanup. Justice of the Peace, David Johnson, performed an inquest at the scene. Brian Schiffel was driven from the scene by a first-call car from Cochran Funeral Home. According to investigating officer, Trooper Barret Duren, the accident remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol. Both vehicles were recovered by rollback wreckers from George White & Sons Wrecker Service and will be stored in Onalaska.
WARNING: The images below show scenes from a violent 2 vehicle head-on collision. If this offends you in any way, DO NOT scroll down this page.
Volunteer firemen work to remove 25 year old Jeanette Hanna, of Chapell Hill from Brian Schiffel's 2012 Chevy Equinox.
Lee Kimes' 1997 Ford F-350 came to rest against the guardrail on the west-bound side of the big bridge.
Justice of the Peace, David Johnson (right), performed an inquest at the scene on Brian Schifell (Johnson is standing with Officer Paul Benfer with Onalaska PD. Benfer was the first emergency responder on the scene).
The impact caved in the interior of Kimes' pickup.
Airbags deployed in Schiffel's 2012 Equinox.
Trooper Barret Duren (kneeling) is the lead investigator (also pictured is Sergeant Same Lattner (standing next to Duren)).
A first-call car from Cochran Funeral Home transported Brian Schiffel from the scene.
Both vehicles were recovered by George White & Sons Wrecker Service.
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