Trooper Donny Akers (left) with the Texas Highway Patrol and Sergeant Nita Bowen investigate a fatal accident off FM-350 South.
Early Morning Accident Claims Two, LIVINGSTON, July 3, 2011 - At approximately 7:30 am on July 3, 2011, a red 2000 Toyota Solara driven by Kaley J. Welch, 21, of Livingston, was north-bound on FM-350 South. Welch's vehicle left the road to the right, rolled through the grass for around 100 yards and slammed into a tree head-on just south of Mangum Road. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit, Sergeant Rob Thomas and Deputy Terri Mayer from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Troopers Donny Akers and Sergeant Nita Bowen with the Texas Highway Patrol. Kaley Welch was apparently killed on impact while her passenger, Laura Ann Miller, 25, of Livingston was treated at the scene and driven to nearby Municipal Airport where she was to be flown by a PHi Air Medical Helicopter to Hermann Hospital in Houston, but passed away sometime after taking flight. According to DPS, neither Welch nor Miller were wearing their seatbelts. Traffic on 350 South was partially blocked during investigation and cleanup. Justice of the Peace Darrell Longino performed an inquest at the scene. A first call car from Cochran Funeral Home recovered Welch and transported her to Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston. A small amount of marijuana in a ziplock bag was pulled from the car.
NOTE: The video report below was processed before we learned that Laura Miller had passed.
Special thank you: Stash Anderson and Ken from Ken's Towing
WARNING: The pictures and video report below are scenes from a violent automobile accident. If this offends you in any way, DO NOT scroll down this page.
Click here for a video report of this story.
Kaley Welch's 2000 Toyota Solara slammed into this pine tree off FM-350 South.
The driver's side and passenger's side airbags deployed.
A first-call car from Cochran Funeral Home recovered the body of Kaley Welch.
Welch's vehicle was recovered by Harwood Wrecker Service and will be stored in Livingston.
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