Passenger Passes Away from Injuries in Accident, HOUSTON, April 16, 2022 - The passenger that was riding with 62 year old Ralph Cadwalder, of Shepherd (his wife, Pamela) passed away yesterday (April 15) shortly before 4 pm. Ralph Cadwalder was north-bound on US-59 (just south of the Goodrich Truckstop) when he was slammed head on by a wrong way driver. Both Ralph and Pam were flown to Hermann Hospital in Downtown Houston. Sadly, Pamela Cadwalder, 59, passed away a short time later.
In a correction to yesterday's story, the other driver, Jeremy Gyiraszin, 46, of Westfield, Michigan, WAS ALSO flown to Houston. Initially we reported that he wasn't flown.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW
Wrong Way Driver Causes Head On Collision, GOODRICH, April 15, 2022 - At approximately 1:40 pm on April 15, 2022, a white 2021 Nissan Armada, driven by Ralph Cadwalder, 62, of Shepherd, was north-bound on US-59 with his wife, Pamela, just south of the Goodrich Truckstop. Suddenly a dark gray 2010 Chrysler Town & Country minivan was coming straight at them. The minivan, driven by Jeremy Gyiraszin, 46, of Westfield, Michigan, traveling south-bound in the north-bound lanes of traffic. The vehicles swerved but still collided (glancing head on collision). Cadwalder's vehicle slid into the center median and came to rest facing south. Gyiraszin's vehicle came to rest on the pavement facing east. Allegiance Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit, Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Constables from Precint 1, and Troopers Nick Hatton, Kevin Burman, and Corporal Ramey Bass with the Texas Highway Patrol. Pam Cadwalder was entrapped in her vehicle. Firemen used the Jaws-of-Life to cut the doors off and safely extract her from the Nissan. Ralph Cadwalder and his wife Pam were both transported by ambulance to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital where a medical helicopter landed and transported both to Hermann Hospital in Houston. Gyiraszin was transported by ambulance to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital. Traffic on the north-bound side on 59 was blocked during investigation and cleanup. It is not yet known why Gyiraszin was traveling south on the north-bound side of 59, but it is being investigated and a toxicology report is pending. Cadwalder's vehicle was recovered by Kwik Tow out of Livingston, and Gyiraszin's vehicle was recovered by Fawbush Wrecker out of Goodrich. This accident remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol.
WARNING: The images and video below show scenes from a violent automobile accident. A small amount of blood is visible. If pictures of this nature offend you in any way, DO NOT scroll down this page.
Both vehicles caught fire, but were quickly doused by the fast responding firemen.
46 year old Jeremy Gyiraszin, of Westfield, Michigan, was driving this 2010 Chrysler Town & Country minivan south-bound in the north-bound lanes of traffic.
62 year old Ralph Cadwalder, of Shepherd, was driving this 2021 Nissan Armada north-bound on 59 when he was impacted head on by Gyiraszin (glancing head on collision).
If you would like to comment on this story, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at pctletters@gmail.com. Be sure to include the story subject in the subject line of your email, also list your name and town in your letter. Your letter will be posted in Letters to the Editor.
