Justice of the Peace Darrell Longino (right) performed an inquest.
Fatal Accident on FM-3126, LIVINGSTON, August 30, 2009 - At approximately 3:57 pm on August 30, 2009, a blue 1972 Opel GT driven by Phillip Ward Elwood, 60, of Livingston was west-bound on 3126 when he lost control of his heavily modified vehicle and it rolled multiple times. Evidence suggests that Elwood and his passenger, Troy Daniels, 55, of Mississippi, were testing their funny car that was actually street legal. According to witnesses, Elwood would take off at a high rate of speed from a stop. Troy Daniels was killed in the accident, apparently of a head injury. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Scenic Loop Volunteer Fire Department, and multiple DPS Troopers including David Morris. Emergency personnel exercised extreme caution as the vehicle had a nitrogen tank inside (commonly used in racing). There was concern about the nitrogen tank exploding as the Scenic Loop Firemen carefully checked the tank and connections. All traffic on FM-3126 was blocked during investigation and cleanup. Polk County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Darrell Longino pronounced Daniels dead at the scene. A First Call Car from Cochran's Funeral Home arrived to transport Daniels to Cochran Funeral Home. A rollback wrecker from Harwood Wrecker Service recovered Elwood's vehicle and it will be stored at Harwood Manner in Livingston. Elwood had insurance but possibly faces multiple criminal charges pending a full investigation. The scene was cleared by 7 pm.
WARNING: Some of the images below are mildly graphic and contain a small amount of blood.
DPS Trooper Kevin Burman speaks with driver Philip Elwood. Elwood could face muptiple criminal charges pending an investigation into the accident.
The car was heavily modified apparently for racing.
Trooper Darwon Evans (right) investigaes (Also pictured Trooper Kevin Burman and Jim Harwood).
Scenic Loop Volunteer Firemen prepare to deal with a potentially dangerous situation (Compressed nitrogen in car).
Compressed nitrogen is commonly used in racing.
Marks on the road show the point where the car took off, and lead to where the accident happened.
The massive 454" engine. Men at the scene were saying that the engine was just too powerful for such a small car.
Troy Daniels, 55, of Mississipp,i is loaded into a first-call car from Cochran's funeral home.
Elwood's car was recovered by Harwood Wrecker Service of Livingston.
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