A huge mess on the 59 overpass in Livingston early Monday afternoon.
Large Trucks Collide on 59 Overpass, LIVINGSTON, October 24, 2011 - At approximately 1:20 pm on October 24, 2011, Ruben Mendoza, 29, of Valley Mills, was south-bound on the US-59 overpass in Livingston (by Lowe's). Mendoza was driving a large Ford Commercial truck pulling a trailer loaded with supplies for a road crew ahead of himself. Mendoza was also serving as the safety vehicle to warn oncoming traffic of a road crew. Mendoza was slammed from behind by a red Freightliner large truck driven by Larry Brown, 41, of Mt. Pleasant. Brown came up behind Mendoza but was coming to fast. Brown hit his brakes and slid for approximately 140 ft. before slamming into Mendoza. Both vehicles left the road to the right. Mendoza's vehicle turned over on its side while Brown's vehicle rolled down the embankment and came to rest upright. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with TxDOT representatives, Trooper David Morris, and a handful of Livingston Police including Officer Kevin Ward. The road was completely blocked. The City of Livingston brought in a front end loader and cleared a path to let traffic trickle through. Both driver's received minor cuts and bumps but were not hospitalized. According to Officer Ward, Brown will be issued a citation for failure to control speed. Heavy Duty Wreckers from Riley Wrecker Service out of Corrigan were summoned to help clean up the mess. Both vehicles will be stored in Corrigan. At time of press (3:30 pm) the mess is still being cleared.
Special thank you: Ken from Ken's Towing and Derek Baskin
The red truck was hauling a load of Texas Bragg Trailers (visible on road at right) and rolled down the embankment.
The white truck was carrying a load of road reflectors and adhesive for a road crew.
Reflectors and blocks of adhesive were spilled all over the road and shoulder.
Workers help salvage reflectors and adhesive.
City of Livingston worker, Hek Long, works heavy equipment to clear a path for traffic (also pictured Police Chief Dennis Clifton and Livingston Fire Chief Corky Cochran).
TxDOT workers spread peat moss to absorb vehicle fluids from the road.
(left - right) Officer Kevin Ward, Police Chief Dennis Clifton, Lieutenant Matt Parrish
Officer Kevin Ward with Livingston Police Department is the Investigating Officer.
Trooper David Morris with the Texas Highway Patrol assisted Officer Ward in the investigation.
Texas Bragg tailers in a tangled stacked mess in the middle of the south-bound lanes of US-59.
Heavy Duty wreckers from Riley Wrecker Service out of Corrigan were summoned to help clean up the mess.
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