Trooper Barett Duren investigated the 3 car accident.
3 Vehicle Accident, 2 People Flown Out, ONALASKA, July 17, 2014 - At approximately 7:45 pm on July 16, 2014, a white Ford F-150 driven by John Schiele, 32, of Livingston, was south-bound on FM-356 about a mile north of the Onalaska City Limits. Schiele apparently got distracted from his driving and crossed the center line of the two lane road. Schiele's pickup clipped a maroon Ford Edge driven by Walter Kennedy, 79, of Onalaska. Schiele continued into the north-bound lane and slammed into a red GMC Sierra driven by Christopher Hughes, 36, of Trinity. The collision sent Schiele's vehicle into a ditch on the north-bound side of 356. Hughes' vehicle also came to rest in a ditch on the north-bound side while Kennedy's vehicle came to rest in the grass on the south-bound side of 356. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Onalaska Volunteer Fire Department and Lieutenant Andy Lowerie and Corporal Jacob Chapman (both with the Polk County Sheriff's Office) and Trooper Barett Duren with the Texas Highway Patrol. John Schiele was transported by Ambulance to Livingston Memorial Hospital. Walter Kennedy was physically okay. Christopher Hughes was transported by ambulance to a landing zone where a Life Flight Helicopter landed and transported him and Schiele's wife (Tracy) to Hermann Hospital in Houston with possible serious injuries. All traffic on FM-356 was blocked during investigation and cleanup. According to Trooper Duren, John Schiele was cited for failure to maintain a single lane of traffic and driving with an invalid license. Schiele's vehicle and Hughes' vehicle were recovered by George White & Sons Wrecker Service and will be stored in Onalaska. Walter Kennedy's vehicle was driven from the scene.
This maroon Ford Edge (driven by Walter Kennedy) was the first vehicle struck by John Schiele's pickup.
This GMC Sierra, driven by Christopher Hughes of Trinity was slammed by Schiele's pickup. Firemen from Onalaska had to use the Jaws-of-Life to extract Hughes from his pickup.
The vehicle that caused all the hoopla: This Ford F-150 was being driven by John Schiele of Livingston. Schiele was south-bound on 356 when he crossed into the north-bound lanes of traffic striking the other 2 vehicles.
Emergency personnel (including Onalaska Mayor, Roy Newport (left)) tend to Christopher Hughes of Trinity.
Hughes was loaded onto a Life Flight helicopter and flown Houston.
John Schiele's wife, Tracy, was also loaded into the helicopter that flew to Houston.
Mixi assisted in the reporting of this story.
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