Deputy Saves People From Burning 3 Vehicle Accident, LIVINGSTON, May 20, 2016 - Shortly before 3 pm on May 20, 2016, Deputy Jacob Hopper, with the Polk County Sheriff's Office was patrolling on US-59 near Marston Road. Hopper Observed a three vehicle accident. A black 2014 Dodge Charger, driven by Victor Ortiz, 20, of Tyler, was in the left lane on 59 South, stopped for a school bus. Behind Ortiz was an orange 2008 Dodge Caravan, driven by Milton Anyaya-Orellana, 45 (from Illinois). As the vehicles were waiting, a blue 2001 Dodge Durango, driven by Donna Arnold, 52, of Lufkin slammed Anyaya-Orellana from behind knocking him into Ortiz's vehicle. The impact knocked Anyaya-Orellana into the median, Arnold's and Ortiz's vehicles remained on the road. Anyaya-Orellana's and Arnold's vehicles caught fire. Deputy Hopper, having witnessed the accident, radioed for help, got out of his unit and ran to the scene. He instructed someone to get his fire extinguisher. Hopper was able to extinguish the fire in Arnold's vehicle and helped Arnold and her 16 year old daughter from her vehicle. In the meantime, the back half Anyaya-Orellana's vehicle was burning as the fire was rapidly growing. Anyaya-Orellana had 2 passengers that were alert and came out, but Anyaya-Orellana appeared unconscious. Hopper was able to crawl into the burning vehicle and pull Anyaya-Orellana out. Hopper stated to PolkCountyToday.com that as he was pulling Anyaya-Orellana from the vehicle, he felt the heat as the fire exploded engulfing the entire vehicle. Victor Ortiz (Charger) was physically okay. Americare 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 and Troopers Kevin Burman and Corporal Ramey Bass with the Texas Highway Patrol. Everyone in the crash (except Ortiz) were transported to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital with undisclosed injuries. All traffic on 59 was blocked during investigation and cleanup. Donna Arnold will be cited for failure to control speed. A rollback wrecker from Ken's Towing recovered Ortiz's vehicle (to be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston) and Anyaya-Orellana's vehicle (to be stored at Pollock's Body Shop in Livingston), while Arnold's vehicle was recovered by Fawbush Wrecker Service and will be stored in Goodrich.
WARNING: The images below show scenes from a violent 3 vehicle accident. Two images show blood. If any of this offends you in any way, DO NOT scroll down this page.
Volunteer Firemen from Livignston extinguish the flames from a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The vehicle was driven by 45 year old Milton Anyaya-Orellana.
Deputy Jacob Hopper with the Polk County Sheriff's Office just happened to be in the vicinity of the accident. Hopper pulled an unconcious Anyaya-Orellana from his burning vehicle and dragged him to safety as the vehicle became completely engulfed in flames.
Deputy Hopper went through 3 fire extinguishers trying to get the fire out. One was provided by J&C Body Shop which was across the street from the crash.
Hopper was able to get the fire out from Donna Arnold's vehicle.
Anyaya-Orellana's vehicle burned to a crisp.
Victor Ortiz's vehicle sustained heavy damage to the rear end.
Emergency personnel tend to Donna Arnold and her 16 year old daughter.
Trooper Kevin Burman (left) and Corporal Ramey Bass investigated the accident.
Hopper recites what happened to Trooper Burman (Burman is the primary accident investigator).
Ken's Towing recovered the Dodge Caravan and the Dodge Charger. Fawbush Body Shop recovered the Dodge Durango.
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