According to witnesses, the taxi (left) crossed the center line causing a head-on collision that knocked both vehicles off the road.
Head-On Collision, 1 Driver Flown to Conroe, MT. ROSE, December 30, 2014 - At approximately 11:25 am on December 30, 2014, a gray 2006 Chevy Uplander (Taxi Cab) driven by Matthew Augustine, 54, of Goodrich, was east-bound on FM-1988 West (near FM-3126). According to witnesses, Augustine crossed the center stripe and slammed head-on into a gray west-bound 2008 Ford F-150 driven by Moises Manrique, 53. of Livingston. The collision pushed both vehicles to the south side of the pavement into the grass. Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit, Deputy Terry Valka with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and Trooper Darwon Evans with the Texas Highway Patrol. Both drivers remained in their vehicles and were removed by emergency personnel. Augustine was loaded into an ambulance and transported to Livingston Municipal Airport where a PHi Air Medical Helicopter transported him to Conroe. Manrique was transported by ambulance to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital with undisclosed injuries. Traffic was partially blocked during investigation and cleanup. According to Trooper Evans, Augustine was cited for driving on the wrong side of the road while not passing. A rollback wrecker from Barnes Towing recovered Augustine's vehicle and it will be stored at Pollock's Body Shop in Livingston, while Manrique's vehicle was recovered by LakeView Towing and will be stored in Livingston.
A friend of Moises Manrique checks on him at the scene.
Matthew Augustine sits in his vehicle as emergency personnel arrive.
Deputy Terry Valka assists emergency personnel with Augustine. Augustine was flown to Conroe.
Emergency personnel remove Manrique from his vehicle.
Manrique was transported by ambulance to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital.
Trooper Darwon Evans investigated the accident.
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