Driver Rolls Vehicle With 5 Small Kids Inside, Heavy Smell of Alcohol, LIVINGSTON, March 30, 2012 - At approximately 4 pm on March 30, 2012, a tan 2003 GMC Envoy driven by Larry J. Butler, 47, of Livingston, was east-bound on FM-1988 West (a short distance from Lake Livingston State Park). Butler's vehicle left the road to the right and rolled coming to rest upright facing Butler's opposite direction of travel. Deputy Troy Binford with the Polk County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the scene along with Trooper David Flowers with the Texas Highway Patrol. Deputy Binford arrived to find the vehicle empty and the driver not around. After a little investigating, Trooper Flowers and Deputy Binford caught up with Butler at his house in the subdivision Putnam's Landing (very near where the crash occurred). Butler came outside to talk and smelled of alcohol (as did his vehicle that he left at the wreck scene). Butler claimed that he crashed the vehicle and came home and began drinking beer. Trooper Flowers asked Butler's children if this was true and they said no. Additionally, there was beer in Butler's vehicle. Butler continued to deny that he had consumed any alcohol prior to the accident. Trooper Flowers cited Butler for leaving the scene of an accident. Butler's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing and will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston.
Larry J. Butler has a lengthy record: Among other things, 3 prior DWIs and possession of marijuana.
Butler rolled this 2003 GMC Envoy with 5 small children inside (amazingly nobody was seriously injured).
Tire marks in the grass show the path of Butler's vehicle.
Larry Butler gives his side of the story to Trooper David Flowers (center) and Deputy Troy Binford.
Butler's vehicle had an open container of beer inside.
Butler's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing.
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