February 5, 2015 - Lone Star Grill was the scene of a car fire in Joaquin Wednesday, February 5, 2015 and was almost included in the inferno.
The driver of the vehicle, Jessica Register, was dining at the Lone Star Grill when flames were seen emitting from her grey Kia Sephia, which was parked directly in front of the front door to the restaurant.
Joaquin Volunteer Firemen were dispatched to the scene by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department at 7:06pm. When they arrived at the scene they found the car engulfed in flames which were threatening to catch the building on fire as the flames melted through the business' sign.
Hoses were deployed and water was quickly sprayed on the fire, averting danger from the building. According to Jeremy Boyett, Assistant Fire Chief, the cause of the fire is unknown at this time and further investigation will be handled by the insurance company.
A separate incident occurred during the fire as firemen were directing traffic on U.S. Highway 84 East. According to Jade Lavergne, Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper, TJ McKnight, 19, of Joaquin and the son of a Lone Star Grill employee, arrived at the scene during the fire. He parked across the street from the restaurant and rushed across the highway in concern of his mother's safety.
As McKnight crossed the roadway, he did so in front of a white F-150 extended cab pickup truck driven by Rodney Lee Harvill, 49, of Joaquin and he was struck by the vehicle which knocked him to the ground. Harvill stopped and McKnight engaged him in an argument.
A witness at the scene broke up the argument and suggested Harvill leave. Later, after the fire had been extinguished, McKnight expressed a desire to be seen by a doctor and he was transported from the scene by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department.
Once Trooper Lavergne investigated the incident, it was determined no charges were necessary to be filed.
