October 25, 2018 - A miscalculation of judgment led to a major two-vehicle crash during heavy rain on State Highway 7 (SH 7) East October 16, 2018, which held up traffic for an extended period of time and resulted in the death of livestock at the scene.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Jonathon Stinson, at 5:02pm DPS Troopers were dispatched to 7723 State Highway 7 East where an 18-wheeler collided with a Kubota farm tractor that had a stock trailer in tow.
Trooper Stinson indicates the Kubota driven by Brian Hinton, 51, of Joaquin was traveling directly across SH 7 East from a private drive. The Kubota was loaded with a round bale of hay positioned on the front hay spear, and was towing a stock farm trailer loaded with nine head of cattle.
A white 2000 Freightliner owned by JRM Logging and driven by Michael Anthony Johnson, 51, of San Augustine was westbound on SH 7 with an empty log trailer in tow when the tractor entered the highway. Johnson attempted to stop the 18-wheeler, which jack knifed and began a side skid and collided with the Kubota and stock trailer on the left side.
Livestock were ejected from the trailer in the middle of the highway and the Freightliner came to rest in the westbound ditch in a jack-knife position. The Kubota came to a halt straddling the eastbound shoulder.
Hinton was transported from the scene by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries. Johnson was transported by ambulance to the same facility for treatment of possible injuries.
Hinton was issued a citation for failure to yield right of way from private drive.
Two calves that were ejected from the trailer were put down at the scene by law enforcement officers. The stock trailer was rolled from the center of the highway to the shoulder where Joaquin Volunteer Firemen assisted in herding the remaining cattle into a nearby field while also directing traffic.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies and the Constable Precinct 3 officers assisted at the scene.
