Marrch 8, 2015 - A single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 96 North occurred early Friday morning, March 6, 2015 resulting in a life-flight for the driver.
ACE EMS was first to the scene of the crash located at the railroad overpass just south of Flat Fork Creek on Highway 96 and they determined a life-flight was necessary as the driver had been ejected from the vehicle.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Daniel Dellinger, sometime just before 4:42am Howard Lamon Hughes, 46, of Tenaha was southbound in a white 2004 Ford Ranger. As Hughes was beginning to climb the ramp leading up the overpass the Ranger traveled over an icy patch in the roadway.
The vehicle then left the roadway to the right and collided head-on with a tree causing Hughes to be ejected from the truck. A landing zone was established by the Center Fire Department and Hughes was life-flighted from the scene to LSU Hospital in Shreveport.
Firemen at the scene stated the area where Hughes traveled over ice is prone to icing when conditions are favorable as there is water runoff which travels across the highway. Unofficially, TxDOT is looking at repairing the roadway soon to help prevent future incidents.
Hughes' injuries were believed to be serious at the time of the crash; however, his condition is unknown at this time.
