US-146 just south of Providence Road, early afternoon on Saturday (08/05/17)
Head On Collision on 146 Hospitalizes 4 (1 by helicopter to Houston), LIVINGSTON, August 5, 2017 - At approximately 1:10 pm on August 5, 2017, a red 2007 Chevy Sedan, driven by William Kendall Thompson, 29, of Livingston, was south-bound on US-146 (just south of Providence Road). Thompson suddenly swerved right to avoid a head on collision with a north-bound 2006 Volvo S40, driven by Ashlyn Drew Strange, 18, of Romayor. Strange (and another vehicle in front of her) was attempting to pass another north-bound vehicle. When the vehicle in front of her moved back into the north-bound lane, she saw Thompson. Both vehicles cut to the shoulder and collided head-on. Both vehicles came to rest facing northward. Americare, Allegiance, and Texan EMS Ambulance Services were dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Troopers Nick Hatton, Colton McQuilkin, and Corporal Ramey Bass with the Texas Highway Patrol. Thompson had three children in the back seat. Thompson and two of his children were transported by ambulance to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital with undisclosed injuries. Thompson's other child (small boy) was transported to Hermann Hospital in Houston by PHi Air Medical. Strange was physically okay. Traffic on 146 was partially blocked during investigation and cleanup. This accident remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol. No citations have been issued at this time. A rollback wrecker from Ken's Towing recovered both vehicles and they'll be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston.
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Corporal Ramey Bass with the Texas Highway Patrol (at rear right of car) assists emergency personnel in removing a small boy from the back of William Thompson's 2007 Chevy Sedan (Thompson is pictured at far right).
Once the boy was removed, he was loaded into an ambulance and transported to a nearby landing zone set up in a small field of Escapees Care Center Drive.
18 year old Ashlyn Strange (at rear of car), of Romayor, appeared to be shaken up, but otherwise physically okay.
Deputy Jacob Hopper and a volunteer helped to comfort 2 of the distraught children.
Trooper Nick Hatton (right) is the primary accident investigator (Hatton is speaking with Trooper Colton McQuilkin).
Thompson's 2007 Chevy was totaled.
A landing zone was set up in a small field off Escapees Care Center Drive. Thompson's small son was flown to Hermann Hospital in Houston.
Both vehicles were recovered by Ken's Towing.
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