Judge Larry Whitworth (left) and Deputy Mike Nettles
Accident on US-146 Claims Life of 16 Year Old, LIVINGSTON, April 1, 2010 - At approximately 3:20 pm on March 31, 2010, a blue 2004 Dodge Durango driven by Gary Criswell, 40, of Thicket, Texas was north-bound on US-146 just south of Old Tram Road when he collided with a 1998 Honda Accord driven by a 16 year old female from Livingston. The Honda Accord crossed into the north-bound lane causing the collision. The Honda came to rest in the south-bound lane of 146 while Criswell's vehicle came to rest in the north-bound lane facing south. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit, Deputies from the Sheriff's Office, and DPS Troopers Chris Stanbery, David Morris, Darwon Evans, and Sergeant Nita Bowen. The driver of the Honda Accord was a 16 year old girl from Livingston, and had an 11 year old passenger. Sadly, the collision took the life of the 16 year old on impact. Gary Criswell sustained incapacitating injuries and was transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital where he was flown via PHI Air Medical to Herman Hospital in Houston. The 11 year old passenger also suffered serious injuries and was flown to Houston by PHI Air Medical from the scene to Hermann Hospital. All traffic on 146 was blocked during investigation and cleanup. Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Larry Whitworth pronounced the driver of the Honda dead at the scene. Both parties had insurance. A rollback wrecker from Ken's Towing recovered both vehicles and they'll be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston. The scene was cleared and traffic fully flowing shortly before 5 pm.
After the collision, Gary Criswell's 2004 Dodge Durango faces the opposite direction that he was traveling. Workers remove Criswell from his vehicle. Criswell was flown to Houston from Livingston Memorial Hospital.
The 1998 Honda came to rest on the south bound side of US-146.
Criswell's airbag deployed.
Both airbags deployed in the Honda.
Chris Stanbery with the Texas Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
Police Chief Dennis Clifton with the Livingston Police Department (right).
A PHI Air Medical Helicopter lands in the middle of US-146 to fly the 11 year old passenger of the Honda to Hermann Hospital in Houston.
A first call car from Cochran Funeral Home transported the teen away from the scene of the accident.
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