DPS Trooper David Morris (left) and Sergeant Rob Thomas investigate.
Pedestrian Woman Struck and Killed by Vehicle Near Goodrich, GOODRICH, April 2, 2009 - At 12:53 am on April 2, 2009, a tan colored 1990 Ford Ranger driven by Eric Flueckiger (pronounced Flew-Kiger), 45, of Livingston was south-bound on US-59 in the right lane just south of Goodrich when a female identified as Vera Suzette Fernandez, 28, of Houston, mysteriously stepped in front of his vehicle. Flueckiger's front driver's side fender struck Fernandez. Flueckiger immediately pulled over and called 911. Americare Ambulance service was dispatched to the scene, shortly thereafter Fernandez was determined to be deceased. Sheriff's Deputies Vance Berry, Jamie Bouie, Keith Franklin and Sergeant Rob Thomas were dispatched along with DPS Troopers Nita Bowen and David Morris. Polk County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, Steven McEntyre was dispatched and performed an inquest on the scene. The left lane of the south-bound side of 59 was blocked as the accident was being investigated. Mark Jones with the District Attorney's Office assisted in the investigation. A visibly shaken up Eric Flueckiger sat on the tailgate of his truck solemnly looking down at the ground "I keep hearing the bump over and over again" he said to PolkCountyToday.com. "Why me?" he said. A body car from Cochran's Funeral home removed the body from the scene. Why Vera Fernandez was in the deep grass of the median on a remote area of 59 at nearly 1 am is a mystery. The scene was cleared shortly before 3:30 am.
Eric Flueckiger (right) is comforted by a friend who came when she learned of the accident.
Damage to Flueckiger's truck visible following the accident.
A body car from Cochran Funeral Home recovered Fernandez's body.
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