Early Morning Rollover on 190, SODA, November 11, 2013 - At around 7:35 am on November 11, 2013, a white Chevy 1500 pickup driven by Michael Gates, 62, of Livingston, was west-bound on US-190 East. Gates was transporting a Kubota L3300 tractor with a trailer. The light duty pickup began to whip. Gates reportedly attempted to speed up to pull out of the whip, but lost control. The trailer whipped around coming disconnected from the pickup in the process. The trailer (with the tractor chained down) rolled and came to rest on its side. Gates pulled off the road. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with Corporal Ramey Bass with the Texas Highway Patrol, and Trooper Kevin Burman. They were assisted by Corporal Terri Mayer with the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Fortunately, Gates wasn't injured. The west-bound lane of 190 was completely blocked by the trailer. West-bound traffic was rerouted by sharing the east-bound lane with east-bound traffic (alternating). According to Corporal Bass, no citations have been issued and the accident remains under investigation. A rollback wrecker from Fawbush Wrecker Service recovered the mess.
The trailer rolled and came to rest on its side completely blocking the west-bound lane of traffic.
The tractor was chained to the trailer.
The trailer rolled an entire revolution. Asphalt was dug into the tractor lift forks.
Michael Gates was pulling the heavy load with a light duty pickup (he was using a ball hitch and not a fifth wheel).
Trooper Kevin Burman helps direct traffic.
The mess was cleaned up by Fawbush Wrecker Service.
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