This 2002 GMC Yukon was west-bound and rear ended another west-bound vehicle, then had a glancing headon collision with an east-bound vehicle.
Three Vehicle Accident Turns Fatal, SAN JACINTO COUNTY, July 24, 2011 - At approximately 2:50 pm on July 24, 2011, a white 2009 Ford F-150 driven by Frankie Garrett, 38,of Spring, was west bound on US-190 approximately one mile from the Polk County Line (Onalaska Big Bridge). Garrett stopped and was waiting to make a left turn and was slammed from behind by a tan 2002 GMC Yukon driven by Walter Hugh Bennett, 73, of Huntsville. The impact pushed Garrett's vehicle to the left and off the road to the east-bound shoulder. Bennett's vehicle then collided head on with an east-bound red 2008 Chevy Silverado driven by John Allen Howard, 59, of Pearland. All three vehicles came to rest on the grass to the right of the east-bound lane. Legacy EMS and other ambulances were dispatched to the scene along with volunteer firemen from Onalaska, Point Blank, Oakhurst and Waterwood. Additionally Troopers were dispatched including Corporal Chris Cain, Kevin Burman, Darwon Evans, and Sergeant David Gustafson (amongst other Troopers). Frankie Garrett was loaded onto an ambulance and rushed to Livingston Memorial Hospital with undisclosed injuries. Walter Bennett and John Howard were both flown to Hermann hospital in Houston. Bennett's passenger, 69 year old Minnie Margaret was also rushed to Livingston Memorial where she was pronounced dead at 3:33 pm. A total of five accident victims were flown to Houston. All traffic on 190 was blocked during investigation and cleanup. Garrett's vehicle Howard's vehicle were towed by GW's Wrecker Service and will be stored in Cold Spring while Bennett's vehicle was recovered by East Texas Towing and will be stored in Shepherd. The scene was cleared by 5:10 pm. The accident remains under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Special thank you: Scott Engle with MCCOPS.com and Beau's Restaurant who provided cold water for the accident workers.
WARNING: The images and the video report below show scenes from a violent automobile accident. If this offends you in any way, DO NOT scroll down this page.
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All three vehicles came to rest in the grass on the east-bound side of US-190.
Corporal Chris Cain (right) is the investigating officer. Cain got assistance from Polk County Troopers Kevin Burman (left) and Darwon Evans.
Trooper Darwon Evans assists in the investigation.
Airbags in the GMC Yukon and the Chevy Silverado deployed.
A total of five victims were flown from the accident. One passenger was rushed to Livingston Memorial Hospital and died a short time later.
DPS Sergeant David Gustafson speaks with Corporal Chris Cain (both with San Jacinto County).
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