WARNING: The images below show scenes from a violent automobile accident. If this offends you in any way, DO NOT scroll down this page.
Onalaska Police Chief Ron Gilbert assisted emergency personnel.
Fatal Accident, Alcohol Suspected, ONALASKA, June 21, 2012 - At around 10 am on June 21, 2012, a motorist traveling on FM-356 North came upon the scene of horrible accident. The passer by notified the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with Officer Michael Pleytez and Chief Ron Gilbert with the Onalaska Police Department, Deputy Mark Dubose with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Troopers Ramey Bass, Bill Clark, Corporal Sam Lattner and Sergeant Nita Bowen. The truck, a white 1999 Dodge Pickup, was driven by Kenneth Ernest Strom, 43, of Lufkin. Strom was south-bound on FM-356 North when his truck left the road to the right and struck a large tree head on. Strom's vehicle bounced off the tree coming to rest facing west just a couple of feet from the tree it struck. Strom was removed from his vehicle and loaded onto an ambulance. EMS personnel from Americare immediately began CPR. Strom was rushed to Livingston Memorial Hospital where he died a short time later. According to Livingston Memorial, Strom passed away at 10:55. Justice of the Peace Larry Whitworth pronounced Strom deceased. Strom was transported to Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston. Traffic on 356 was partially blocked during investigation and cleanup. There was a heavy smell of alcohol coming from the truck. A rollback wrecker from George White & Sons Wrecker Service recovered Strom's vehicle and it will be stored in Onalaska. The scene was cleared by 12:30 pm.
43 year old Kenneth Strom's 1999 Dodge struck a tree head on when he left the pavement of FM-356 North.
Strom's truck bounced back from the tree and came to rest facing west.
Trooper Ramey Bass (left) is the primary investigator (also pictured, Trooper Bill Clark).
An Onalaska Volunteer Fire Department Truck was parked on the road right behind Strom's totaled vehicle.
The interior of the truck was obliterated when the impact pushed the engine into the cab.
Trooper Bass (left) was also assisted by Corporal Sam Lattner (right).
Strom's vehicle was recovered by George White & Sons Wrecker Service.
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