Wet Road Conditions Believed to Have Contributed to Fatal Accident on 190 East, SODA, September 6, 2010 - Shortly before 1 pm on September 6, 2010, Veronica Suzanne Potter, 28, of Spring, was west-bound on US-190 East in Soda when her gold 2003 Toyota Corolla apparently hit a patch of water on the road causing her vehicle to hydroplane. Potter's vehicle hydroplaned into the east-bound lanes and was broad sided by a black 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 truck driven by Amanda Marie Vodicka, 25, of Livingston. The impact all but obliterated the Toyota Corolla as the front end of the Toyota came to rest in the middle of the right east-bound lane and the rest of the car conformed to the front end of the truck. Veronica Potter was killed on impact. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit, Deputies from the Sheriff's Office, and DPS Troopers, David Morris, Kevin Burman, Darwon Evans, Corporal Sam Lattner and Sergeant Nita Bowen. Emergency personnel removed Vodicka and her 13 year old female passenger from her vehicle. Both were transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital win incapacitating injuries. Both east-bound lanes of US-190 were blocked and traffic re-routed as the accident was being investigated and cleared. Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, David Johnson pronounced Potter dead at 2:02 pm. A first-call-car from Cochran Funeral Home recovered Potter's body and transported her to Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston. Both parties had insurance. A rollback wrecker from LakeView Wrecker Service recovered Vodicka's truck and it will be stored in Livingston, while Potter's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing and it will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston. The scene was cleared by 2:30 pm.
Editor's note: Due to heavy rain during the reporting of this accident, we were not able to do a video report as the rain would damage our video cameras.
WARNING: The pictures below are photos from the aftermath of a violent accident. If this offends you, DO NOT look at the pictures.
Trooper David Morris (right) with the Texas Highway Patrol is the investigating officer.
Amanda Vodicka of Livingston is transferred to an Americare Ambulance.
Sergeant Nita Bowen with the Texas Highway Patrol assists in the investigation.
The car conformed to the truck.
Justice of the Peace David Johnson (left) performed an inquest at the scene.
The truck's airbags deployed.
Livingston Fire Chief Corky Cochran (left) converses with DPS Trooper Kevin Burman.
The car had to be pryed off of the truck.
Veronica Suzanne Potter, 28, of Spring, was transported to Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston.
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