Pickup Slams Small Car, 2 Hospitalized, LIVINGSTON, November 19, 2015 - Shortly before 6 pm on November 19, 2015, a black Toyota Avalon driven by Robert Joe Smith, 63, of Livingston, was south-bound on FM-350 South. Smith slowed down to make a left turn onto Tempe Timbers Road and was slammed from behind by a green Ford F-150 driven by Jose de Jesus Lopez Reyes, 38, of Livingston. Reyes was south-bound behind Smith and was going too fast. When Smith slowed down to turn, Reyes was coming too fast and tried at the last second to avoid the collision causing his pickup to glance of the back of Smith's vehicle and slide down the side of Smith's vehicle, forcing both vehicles off the pavement to the right and into a ditch. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with Deputy Cody Hardy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and Troopers Zach Lenderman and Chris Cain with the Texas Highway Patrol. Both Smith and his Wife were transported by ambulance to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital with undisclosed injuries. Reyes was cited for failure to control speed. A rollback wrecker from Ken's Towing recovered Reyes' pickup and it will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston. Smith's vehicle was recovered by LakeView Wrecker Service and will be stored in Livingston.
Jose de Jesus Lopez Reyes (pickup driver) was coming too fast behind the car and tried at the last second to avoid a collision and cut left, but still slammed the car and slid down the side of the car, forcing both vehciles into a ditch.
Trooper Zach Lenderman cited Reyes for failure to control speed.
(L-R) Heidi, Molly, and Mixi were on duty for PolkCountyToday.com.
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