Emergency responders at the scene of Alma Arthur's car.
Car Strikes 18 Wheeler, Gets Totaled, LIVINGSTON, March 18, 2009 - At approximately 6:43 am on March 18, 2009 a silver 2005 Chevy Malibu driven by Alma Arthur, 65, of Mississippi was north-bound on US-146. As Arthur was approaching FM-1988 a white 2006 Peterbilt 18 Wheeler owned by Glazier Foods and driven by Vernado Astorga, 36, of Houston was pulling across 146 from the parking lot of R&D Grocery and failed to yield right-of-way to Arthur. Arthur's vehicle clipped the back of the 18 wheeler and was totaled. Both airbags in Arthur's vehicle deployed. Astorga's rear bumper was pressed into the rear driver's side tires and was immobile. Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Terry White and DPS Trooper Donny Akers were dispatched to the scene along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department and Americare Ambulance Service. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt in the collision. 3 lanes of traffic were blocked as the accident was being investigated and cleared. According to Trooper Akers, Astorga was issued a citation for failure to yield right-of-way from a private drive. Both parties had insurance. The scene was cleared and traffic fully flowing by around 9 am.
Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Terry White investigates.
Airbags in Alma Arthur's vehicle deployed.
Vernado Astorga (right) of Houston was issued a citation for failure to yield right-of-way from a private drive.
The bumper of the 18 wheeler was pushed into the driver's side rear tires.
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