Early Morning Rush Hour Produces 3 Vehicle Accident on 146, LIVINGSTON, April 21, 2008 - According to officer Leon Middleton of the Livingston Police Department, at 7:19 am on April 21, 2008, a 3 vehicle accident occurred by the rodeo fair grounds on Highway 146. The accident occurred when a navy blue, 2000 Hyundai Sonata driven by Jesse Lyndon McClain, 18, of Goodrich, was south bound on highway 146 and was speeding as he topped the hill near the fair grounds when he came upon a slower moving vehicle. McClain tried to avoid hitting the slower moving vehicle in front of him but due to his high rate of speed and faulty evasive action, he lost control of his Hyundai and pulled across 146 in front of the vehicle he was trying to avoid and entered into the north bound lanes of oncoming rush hour traffic. McClain slammed into a maroon 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Arturo Vergura Lara, 68, of Livingston that was traveling north on 146. McClain's vehicle continued out of control and struck a 1995 grey Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by Emma Dowden Cook, 52, also of Livingston, when she was sitting at a stop sign of Fair road waiting to enter 146 North. McClain's vehicle then came to a stop just past Fair Street in the north bound lanes of 146. All three vehicles were disabled and had to be towed. Air bags in all three vehicles deployed. LakeView Wrecker Service towed two of the vehicles and Fawbush Wrecker Service towed one vehicle. McClain, a passenger with Lara, and Emma Cook were all three transported to Livingston Memorial hospital by Americare Ambulance Service with non-life-threatening injuries. There was a DPS trooper at the scene and Polk County Sheriff's Deputies William Jerry and Terri Mayer were also at the scene to assist. Also present was officer Chad Ward with the Livingston Police Department, Leon Middleton with LPD, and Police Chief Dennis Clifton. Traffic on 146 was partially blocked while the accident was being investigated and then cleared. All three drivers had insurance. McClendon was cited for three things that caused the accident: Failed to drive in a single lane, Faulty evasive action, Speeding over limit.
