Truck Rollover Driver Flees, Found Later Intoxicated, LIVINGSTON, June 14, 2009 - Shortly after 4 am on June 14, 2009 a white 1997 GMC Sierra and apparently driven by James Byrd of Scenic Loop was south-bound on FM-2457 when his truck veered to the right of the road, struck a guard-rail, continued to the right and flipped coming to rest upside down on the edge of East Tempe Creek. Deputies Billy Duke and David Ramsey were dispatched to the scene along with the Scenic Loop Volunteer Fire Department and DPS Trooper Brent Henry. The driver is believed to have been Byrd who apparently fled the scene. There was a strong smell of alcohol coming from the flipped truck and multiple beer cans. Trooper Henry filed an accident report and the vehicle was recovered by a rollback wrecker from Ken's Towing. James Byrd was found a short time later at the Shell Station on 190 and 2457, on foot and extremely intoxicated. Byrd was arrested and taken to Polk County Jail. The scene was cleared by 6 am.
Byrd's truck came to rest upside down at the edge of East Tempe Creek.
Upside down and messy, there was a heavy smell of alcohol.
DPS Trooper Brent Henry investigates.
Scenic Loop Volunteer Firemen clear the road of debris.
Byrd's truck is recovered by Ken's Towing.
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