Emergency personnel work on 51 year old Ricky Lynn West. According to witnesses, West tried to beat a train and was knocked into the courthouse lawn.
Car Gets Waylaid Apparently Trying to Beat Train, LIVINGSTON, September 26, 2013 - At approximately 3:15 pm on September 26, 2013, a tan 2000 Chevy Impala driven by Ricky Lynn West, 51, of Livingston, was west-bound on West Church street in Livingston (next to the Polk County Courthouse). According to witnesses, West appeared to try and beat a train as he pulled onto the tracks. The crossing arm came down on his vehicle and he opted to stop in the middle of the tracks as the train was coming right at him. The train slammed West's vehicle and knocked it over the east-bound lanes and onto the courthouse lawn. As West's vehicle was sliding toward the lawn, one of it's tires caught the curb causing the vehicle to roll. West's vehicle came to rest upside down on the courthouse lawn. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department and Officer Brandon Brewer, and other police from Livingston PD including Lieutenant Matt Parrish, Detective Marty Drake, Sergeant Lewis Milner, and Officer Kevin Blackburn. West was treated by EMS personnel from Americare and transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital with undisclosed injuries. Cold beer and prescription medication was found in West's vehicle. West is facing a citation for trying to beat the train, and could be facing more charges. West's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing and will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston.
Editor's note: The presence of beer and prescription medication does not mean that the driver was intoxicated. However, it will arouse suspicion of possible intoxication.
West was transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital.
Officer Brandon Brewer is the accident investigator.
Lieutenant Matt Parrish assisted with the investigation.
Cold beer from West's vehicle
Prescription medication was found in West's vehicle.
West's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing.
Houdini has seen this stuff before.
The M&M Sisters were on duty.
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