3:15 pm, July 25, 2021: US-146 about a mile south of FM-2610
Pickups Collide, 1 Catches Fire, SCHWAB CITY, July 25, 2021 - At approximately 3:15 pm on July 25, 2021, a 2013 Dodge Ram Pickup, driven by Dennis Helms, 68, of Livingston, was north-bound on US-146 (about a mile south of FM-2610). According to Helms, he saw a pedestrian walking and decided to turn around to offer a ride. Helms executed a U-turn but failed to yield to a south-bound white 2013 GMC Sierra, driven by James Herridge, 39, of Buna. Herridge's pickup impacted Helms' pickup. The impact caused Herridge to leave the pavement to the right and into the grass. Helms' pickup caught fire in the middle of 146. Helms was able to exit his vehicle safely. Allegiance Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the South Polk County and Holiday Lake Estates Fire Departments and Troopers Ashlee White and Nick Hatton with the Texas Highway Patrol. Helms' vehicle became engulfed in flames. Firemen were able to extinguish the fire, but the pickup was just a burned shell. Amazingly, neither driver was injured. Helms was cited for the illegal turn that caused the accident. Helms' vehicle was recovered by Dan's Towing and will be stored in Livingston. Herridge's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing and will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston.
68 year old Dennis Helms, of Livingston, was driving the truck that caught fire. Helms stated that he attempted a U-turn to go back and help a pedestrian. He failed to yield to the other pickup that was traveling the opposite direction.
39 year old James Herridge, of Buna, was driving this 2013 GMC Sierra. Herridge's pickup was also totaled.
Helms' pickup completely burned.
Houdini (with Ken's Towing) was on hand to help keep things in order.
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