Accident Claims Passenger, Driver Flown to Houston, CORRIGAN, August 21, 2014 - Shortly after 1 pm on August 21, 2014, a 2011 Ford E-250 Company Van with Sound Techs, out of Lufkin and driven by Jakob Sprinkle, 19, of Lufkin, was south-bound on US-59 in the south end of Corrigan. Sprinkle attempted to pass a vehicle in front of him. As Sprinkle veered into the right hand lane, he failed to notice an 18 wheeler driven by Harlan Hodnett, 53, of Dry Prong, Louisiana, that was stopped in the right lane attempting to turn into a parking lot. Sprinkle's van slammed into the back left corner of the trailer portion of the 18 wheeler. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Corrigan Volunteer Fire Department and Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Constable Ray Myers, Troopers Kevin Burman, Darwon Evans, and Officers with Corrigan Police Department including Jacob Hopper, Harold Rapsilver, Charlie Murray, and Chief Darrell Gibson. Tragically, Jakob Sprinkle's passenger, Marco Chairez Lopez, 22, of Lufkin was killed on impact as the van impacted the 18 wheeler on the passenger's side of the van. Traffic on the south-bound side of 59 was rerouted to share the road with the north-bound lane of traffic. Sprinkle was treated at the scene before being transferred to the care of Life Flight and transported to Hermann Hospital in Houston. A first-call car from Corrigan Funeral Home transported Lopez from the scene. Justice of the Peace, Stephen McEntyre performed an inquest. According to Corrigan Police Department, as to who is at fault remains under investigation. The Sound Techs van was recovered by Riley Wrecker Service and will be stored in Corrigan.
Special thank you: James Riley with Riley Wrecker Service and Ken with Ken's Towing
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