Trooper Kevin Burman with the Texas Highway Patrol looks over Derrick Mcgowen's 1997 Oldsmobile Regency.
Driver Slams Into 18 Wheeler, GOODRICH, May 23, 2011 - At approximately 10:11 pm on May 22, 2011, a tan 1997 Oldsmobile Regency driven by Derrick Mcgowen, 37, of Livingston, was north-bound on US-59 in Goodrich. Mcgowen failed to notice an 18 wheeler driven by William Donnell Thompson, 42, of Jacksonville, that had pulled out onto the road from a truckstop next door to Lone Star Charlie's and was merging into the left lane. Thompson tried to take evasive action, but Mcgowen still slammed into the back of the 18 wheeler. The collision caused Mcgowen's vehicle to turn upside down as it came to rest on its roof facing the opposite direction Mcgowen was traveling in. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department and DPS Troopers Kevin Burman and Corporal Sam Lattner. Mcgowen was treated at the scene by EMS personnel and loaded onto an ambulance and transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital with incapacitating injuries. Both north-bound lanes on 59 were blocked during investigation and cleanup. A rollback wrecker from LakeView Towing recovered Mcgowen's vehicle and it will be stored in Livingston. According to Trooper Burman, no citations have yet been issued as the accident is still under investigation. The scene was cleared by 11 p.m.
Special thank you: Ken from Ken's Towing and Stash Anderson
Editor's Note:To err is human. When we arrived at the scene of this accident, it's normal protocol on an accident this serious, to have both still shots and a narrarrated video report. Alas, I accidentally left the cameras at home. In this case the Willster used his I-Phone 4 to take all the pictures. Willster did an outstanding job of taking pictures from the scene with a cell phone at night time. Thank you Willster for improvising and overcoming.
McGowen's vehicle came to rest upside down facing south (Livingston Fire Chief Corky Cochran pictured).
The Peterbilt 18 wheeler was driven by William Thompson of Jacksonville.
The back of Thompson's 18 wheeler received minimal damage.
Derrick Mcgowen is loaded onto an ambulance.
Corporal Sam Lattner with the Texas Highway Patrol and Fire Chief Corky Cochran.
Lucy.
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