Accident Nearly Takes Out Full Size Steel Utility Pole, LIVINGSTON, May 17, 2008 - According to witnesses, shortly after midnight on May 17, 2008, 2 trucks were racing south on FM 350 North near Pebble Creek when one of the vehicles, a white 2002 Chevy Z71 Offroad pickup driven by Salvador Paredes, 17, of Livingston, lost control and went off the road to the left and slammed head-on into a steel utility pole. Witnesses said that Paredes got out of his truck and threw a can of beer in the woods immediately after impact. Witnesses stated that the other vehicle that was racing stopped briefly after the impact occurred and then drove away. The airbag in Paredes' truck deployed on impact and may have saved his life. Paredes was transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital by Americare Ambulance Service to be checked out. Polk County Sheriff's Deputy James Bui was the first law enforcement personnel to arrive on the scene. Followed by DPS Troopers Robert Akers and David Morris. Also at the scene was Livingston Fire Marshall Mark Taylor and a host of witnesses from a nearby house who heard the impact and came outside to investigate. The interior of Paredes' truck had a strong odor of alcohol. A truck from SHECO came to assess the damage to the pole. A rollback wrecker from LakeView Wrecker Service arrived to tow the truck. The concern at the scene was that if the truck was moved that there was a possibility the heavily damaged utility pole might come down. The pole, however, held up and is scheduled to be replaced first thing Saturday morning.
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