Brianna Barlow's Ford SUV went airborne and struck this tree roof first.
Vehicle Goes Airborne and Slams Into Tree, LEGGETT, July 19, 2009 - At approximately 2:52 pm on July 19, 2009, a white 2004 Ford Expedition driven by Brianna Barlow, 18, of Leggett was south-bound on Freeman Road. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Barlow was traveling at an unsafe speed on an unpaved stretch of the road. Barlow's vehicle began to fishtail, slid out of control and turned sideways and eventually backwards. Barlow's vehicle went airborne and slammed roof first into a large tree. The vehicle came to rest facing north on Freeman. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with Livingston Volunteer Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit and DPS Troopers David Morris and Chris Stanbery. Barlow and her 16 year old sister were trapped in the contorted SUV. Volunteer Firemen used the Jaws-of-Life to free the two vehicle occupants. The 16 year old passenger was shaken up but physically okay. Brianna on the other had sustained major injuries and was transported to Leggett School on Freeman at FM-942 where a PHI Helicopter waited to transport her to Hermann Hospital in Houston. Traffic on Freeman road was blocked during investigation and cleanup. Barlow did have insurance. The accident remains under investigation and citation(s) could be pending. A rollback wrecker from Harwood Wrecker Service recovered Barlow's vehicle and it will be stored at Harwood in Livingston. The scene was cleared by 4:45 pm.
Livingston Firemen freed Barlow from her vehicle for EMS personnel.
A friend tries to comfort Barlow's younger sister who was shaken up in the accident, but physically okay.
Brianna Barlow is rolled to a waiting PHI Helicopter.
PHI helicopter lifts off from Leggett School yard enroute to Hermann Hospital in Houston.
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