Single Vehicle Accident Gets Young Driver Life Flighted, ONALASKA, April 22, 2008 - According to Officer Brian Perkins of the Onalaska Police Department at approximately 10:20 pm on April 22, 2008 a single vehicle accident occurred in Onalaska on Highway 3459 near Old Groveton Road. A black Ford Escort driven by Joshua Anthony Beck, 17, of Onalaska, was east bound on 3459 when he seemed to have lost control of his vehicle and went off the road to the left and up a hill where his vehicle slammed into a mound of dirt at a high rate of speed. According to witnesses at the scene, Beck did not have his seatbelt fastened. Beck sustained large head injuries and was being treated at the scene by Americare Ambulance Service. Beck was then driven to a heliport where Life Flight transported him to Hermann Hospital in Houston. Old Groveton Road was blocked as emergency personnel worked the scene. Polk County Sheriff's Deputies Billy Duke and Jason Thomas were at the scene in addition to Onalaska Police Chief Ron Gilbert. There was also a pump truck from nearby Onalaska Volunteer Fire Department. Beck had insurance. Airbags in his Ford Escort did not deploy. A rollback wrecker from George White & Sons arrived and towed Beck's vehicle away.
