7 Hospitalized in Major Accident on 59, NEW WILLARD, June 7, 2009 - According to witnesses, at 9 pm on June 6, 2009, tan 2000 Buick LeSabre driven by Cory Dirden, 27, of Moscow was south-bound on US-59 in the left lane when a red 1997 Mercury Voyager mini-van that was also south bound in the right lane and driven by Edgar Nelson, 68, of Conroe attempted to make a sudden left turn in front of Dirden, into a crossover point. Dirden's vehicle slammed into the front driver's side of Nelson's vehicle. Nelson's vehicle spun around facing north while Dirden's vehicle rolled into the grassy median where it came to rest. DPS Troopers David Morris, Darwon Evans, and Larry Pitts were dispatched to the scene. Trooper Pitts was actually at the scene and witnessed the accident. Three ambulances, one from Lone Star EMS and two from Americare EMS were summoned along with other law enforcement personnel. Nelson had five passengers in his vehicle. Dirden, Nelson, and all five of Nelson's passengers were transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The left lane of the north-bound side of 59 was blocked while both lanes of the south-bound side were blocked and traffic routed to the shoulder as the accident was being investigated and cleared. Both airbags in Dirden's vehicle deployed. Both parties had insurance. Citations could be pending as the accident is still under investigation. Both vehicles were recovered by Ken's Towing and they'll be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston. The scene was cleared and traffic fully flowing by 10 pm.
Cory Dirden of Moscow being loaded onto a waiting ambulance.
Based on the evidence, it appears that Dirden cut his wheels in order to avoid the collision.
Windows on Nelson's vehicle were shattered in the collision.
Dirden's vehicle came to rest in the grass that separates he north and south-bound sides of Highway 59
A passenger from Nelson's vehicle being loaded onto an ambulance.
DPS Trooper David Morris investigates.
Both of Dirden's airbags deployed.
Ken's Towing recovered both vehicles.
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