47 year old Leross Sykes, of Natchitoches, Louisiana, was driving this 1994 Kenworth 18 wheeler when he rolled it on US-59 in Goodrich.
Names Released from 18 Wheeler Fatality, GOODRICH, August 24, 2019 - The Texas Department of Public Safety released the names of the victims from an 18 wheeler rollover / fatality that occurred on August 24 shortly after 1 am. 47 year old Leross Sykes, of Natchitoches, Louisiana was south-bound on US-59 when his rig left the pavement to the left, entered the center median and rolled losing his load of 2x4 lumber. Sykes' female passenger, 45 year old Vernechor Louicious was ejected during the rollover and was killed instantly from blunt force impact. Sykes was flown by PHi Air Medical helicopter to Conroe Regional Hospital for treatment.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW
Justice of the Peace, Sarah Raspberry, speaks with Trooper Chris Cain.
18 Wheeler Rolls, 1 Person Killed, GOODRICH, August 24, 2019 - At approximately 1:15 am on August 24, 2019, an 18 wheeler (hauling a full load of lumber), was south-bound on US-59. The rig left the pavement to the left and rolled, and came to rest upright (less than a mile north of the Trinity River Bridge). During the rollover, a female passenger was ejected and killed. 2x4 lumber was strewn through the center median. The driver (names being withheld pending notification of relatives) crawled from the wreckage. Allegiance Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Goodrich Volunteer Fire Department, Deputy RW Thomas with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and Troopers Zach Lenderman, Chris Cain, and Donny Akers with the Texas Highway Patrol. All traffic was blocked during investigation, cleanup, and flight operations. The driver was flown from the scene by PHi Air Medical. Justice of the Peace, Sarah Raspberry performed an inquest at the scene. A first call car from Cochran Funeral Home transported the deceased passenger from the scene. A heavy-duty wrecker from East Texas Towing, out of Shepherd, was summoned to clean up the mess. This accident remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol.
Stop having to buy new tires every six months! FIX IT ONCE AND FOR ALL!
This 18 wheeler was being driven south-bound on US-59 when the driver left the pavement to the left and rolled. The rig came to rest upright and blocking traffic on the south-bound side of 59 less than a mile north of the Trinity River Bridge.
The rig was hauling a full load of 2x4 lumber.
The driver was flown from the scene by PHi Air Medical.
A first-call car from Cochran Funeral Home transported the deceased passenger from the scene.
Heavy equipment from East Tex Towing was brought in to push the lumber into the center median (allowing traffic to pass). The lumber will be cleaned up at daylight.
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