Sergeant Ryan Vasquez (right) is the accident investigator (Onalaska Police Chief, Ron Gilbert also pictured, assisted in investigation).
Man Has Stroke While Driving, Head On Collision Ensues, ONALASKA, July 29, 2016 - At approximately 5:14 pm on July 28, 2016, a silver Honda Civic driven by Connie Acker, 53, of Onalaska, was east-bound on the Big Bridge that enters into Onalaska. A red Dodge Ram 1500, driven by James Arlen Turner, 56, of New Caney, was west-bound when Turner allegedly had a stroke. The stroke caused Turner to lose control as his pickup crossed the center line and slam head on into the Acker's vehicle. The impact knocked the car backwards approximately 20 feet as the car came to rest in the west-bound lane. The pickup came to rest against the guard rail of the east-bound lane. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Onalaska Volunteer Fire Department, Deputies Terri Mayer and Victor White with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and Sergeant Ryan Vasquez, Officer Jade Havard, and Onalaska Police Chief, Ron Gilbert. Turner was transported by ambulance to a landing zone in Onalaska (Between Cochran Funeral Home and First National Bank) where he was loaded into a Life Flight helicopter and flown to Hermann Hospital in Houston. Acker was transported to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. All traffic on the Big Bridge was blocked during investigation and cleanup. No citations were issued. A rollback wrecker from George White & Sons recovered both vehicles and they will be stored in Onalaska.
Editor's Note: We apologize for the delay in getting this story out. We were able to ascertain all the info for the wreck this morning (07/29). Special thank you to Sergeant Ryan Vasquez and Chief Ron Gilbert with Onalaska Police Department.
56 year old James Arlen Turner, of New Caney, was driving this Dodge pickup when he allegedly had a stroke and lose control of his vehicle.
Turner's pickup slammed head on into this Honda Civic driven by 54 year old Connie Acker, of Onalaska.
Amazingly, Acker survived the accident with non-life-threatening injuries.
Turner was flown to Houston.
Life Flight lifts off enroute to Houston.
Both vehicles were recovered by George White & Sons Wrecker Service.
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