Emergency personnel work to remove a passenger from Thomas Flores' Ford pickup that was turned over on Pinckard Road.
Driver Turns Over Pickup, 1 Hospitalized, SPRING CREEK, June 9, 2014 - At approximately 7 pm on June 8, 2014, a black Ford F-150 pickup driven by Thomas Flores, 40, of Livingston, was east-bound on US-190 West near Pinckard Road. According to Flores, a red car suddenly stopped in the middle of 190 in front of him. Flores swerved right and left the pavement, cut across a corner lot to Pinkcard Road and entered a ditch. Flores tried to suddenly turn his pickup out of the ditch to avoid striking a culvert. The sudden turn caused Flores' pickup to turn over on it's passenger's side. Flores' wife, and three boys were in the cab of the truck, and there was a German Shepherd in the bed of the truck. Flores, the boys, and the dog escaped injury. However, his wife was trapped in the truck. Livingston Volunteer Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit was dispatched along with Americare Ambulance Service, Sergeant Lee Rogers and Deputy Cody Hardy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Trooper Chris Cain with the Texas Highway Patrol. Flores' wife was carefully removed from the truck through the windshield area and was transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital with undisclosed injuries. No citations were issued as the accident remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol. A rollback wrecker from Ken's Towing recovered the pickup and it will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston.
Flores and three young boys, and a German Shepherd dog escaped injury.
Flores' wife was carefully removed and transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital.
Trooper Chris Cain is investigating the accident.
Mrs. Flores was more concerned that her two boys were okay than about her own well being. She repeatedly asked about their condition as she was being tended to by medical personnel. The presence of her healthy kids helped to calm her down.
When Flores entered the ditch, he tried to avoid striking a culvert (pictured at right) and cut out of the ditch causing his pickup to turn over.
Flores' vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing.
Houdini assisted with towing duties.
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