February 24, 2016 - Tuesday night at 9:35pm a man traveling on FM 417 East collided with a large Oak tree which fell in front of him and he survived. High winds were blowing and had moved through the area for the majority of the day which could have been the cause of the tree falling.
The driver was Jermicah Jahron Williams, age 32 of Mansfield, Louisiana, and he reported seeing the tree falling in front of him and there was nothing he could do. He was driving a 2000 GMC Sonoma westbound on FM 417 East when the tree fell and the truck collided with it. The truck received major damage to the front and the frame on the truck was bent.
After the crash occurred, the driver was able to exit the pickup and walked up the road for help. ACE EMS responded to the scene; however, Williams didn't require transport. The Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department was also dispatched along with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
The fire department arrived first and using a chainsaw cut the tree into sections and then used the winch on the front of the fire truck to help move large sections out of the roadway. TxDOT arrived and using a small bulldozer they finished clearing the roadway.
The crash was investigated by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Keith Jones. Constable Pct 2 Jamie Hagler also responded to the crash and assisted.
