Guard rail at the entrance of the Neches River Bridge (south-bound side of 59) is crumpled on the left side of the pavement.
Car Crashes Into Guard Rail, Causes Other Crash, Intoxication Suspected, ANGELINA COUNTY, November 8, 2018 - At approximately 3 am on November 8, 2018, a blue 1995 Isuzu Rodeo, driven by Rufus Dewayne Matts, 30, of Houston, was south-bound on US-59 in South Angelina County. Matts' vehicle veered to the left and slammed into the guard rail at the entrance to the Neches River Bridge. His vehicle slide sideways and came to rest in the left lane. Seconds later, an off duty Zavala Police Officer (Diana Araceli Denby, 30, of Huntington) was also south-bound in the same lane. Denby's vehicle came upon the wrecked vehicle and swerved to avoid the vehicle, but struck the back side of Matts' vehicle that was in the lane of travel. Denby managed to pull her vehicle to the right shoulder. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene, along with Office Michael McDuffy with the Corrigan Police Department, Sergeant Adam Norris with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Deputies from Angelina County Sheriff's Office, and Troopers Colton McQuilkin and Brad Lawrence with the Texas Highway Patrol. As emergency personnel were speaking with Matts (who was wearing a women's wig, and dressed in women's clothing) a baggie containing methamphetamine fell out of Matts' bra. Matts appeared to be intoxicated. Additionally, there was cans of beer found in his vehicle. Both Matts and Denby were transported by ambulance to CHI Lufkin Memorial Hospital with undisclosed injuries. Matts is facing the charge of driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance. Both vehicles were recovered by a wrecker service out of Lufkin.
Editor's Note: Preliminarily, this accident was reportedly in Polk County. When we arrived on the scene, it was actually just inside the Angelina County Line.
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30 year old Rufus Dewayne Matts, of Houston, was driving this 1995 Isuzu Rodeo and slammed into the guar rail at the entrance of the Neches River Bridge (south-bound side of 59 just inside the Angelina County line).
30 year old Diana Araceli Denby, of Huntington, was an off duty police officer in her patrol unit when she slammed into Matts' vehicle.
Trooper Colton McQuilkin speaks with Matts. Matts was wearing a women's wig and women's clothing, and appeared heavily intoxicated.
Denby is an off duty Zavala Police Officer, and was south-bound on 59 in her patrol unit.
A small baggie with methamphetamine fell out of Matts' bra when he was speaking with EMS personnel.
Additionally, alcoholic beverage was found in Matts' vehicle.
Guard rail from Matts' collision is crumpled up.
Denby's police unit appears to be totaled (Trooper Colton McQuilkin is pictured at left).
Heidi was on duty for PolkCountyToday.com.
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