Andrew Parker of Pasadena totaled his own Suburban when he slammed a TXDOT vehicle from behind.
Distracted Driver Slams TXDOT Truck, LIVINGSTON, May 25, 2010 - At approximately 9:35 am on May 25, 2010, a white GMC Suburban driven by Andrew Parker, 53, of Pasadena, was north bound on US-59 about a mile north of Livingston when he reached for his cell phone, which according to him was on the floor, veered right and slammed a TXDOT truck from behind. The TXDOT truck (driven by Charles Tucker, 46, of Livingston) was on the shoulder acting as a safety truck for another TXDOT vehicle that was painting. Tucker's vehicle was equipped with a safety buffer that collapses in case it is hit from behind (According to DPS, the device was put on the truck only 2 days earlier). Parker's Suburban came to rest sideways in the right lane on the north-bound side completely blocking the right lane. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with Deputy Brent Foster and DPS Trooper Ray Williams. Parker was treated at the scene by EMS Personnel and suffered only a bruise on his lower left leg, while Tucker was physically okay. Parker's vehicle was totaled. The right lane of traffic was blocked during investigation and cleanup. Both parties had insurance. Trooper Williams issued Parker a citation for failure to control speed. A rollback wrecker from Harwood wrecker service recovered Parker's vehicle and it will be stored at 101 Harwood Drive in Livingston. The scene was cleared before 11 am.
Charles Tucker was driving this truck which was acting as a safety/warning vehicle for another TXDOT truck.
Trooper Ray Williams listens to Andrew Parker's side of the story.
Parker's driver's side and passenger's side airbags deployed. Parker was also wearing his seatbelt.
TXDOT worker's look over Parker's vehicle.
This safety buffer was put on this truck only 2 days earlier. Features such as: Seabelt (fastened), airbags, and this device kept a bad situation from being much worse.
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