March 3, 2017 - Haslam Strip (U.S. Highway 84) in Joaquin was shut down when emergency crews were dispatched to a reported vehicle versus pedestrian incident which had proven fatal Thursday, March 2, 2017.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies, Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department and Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3, shut down Haslam Strip to prevent any additional traffic from traveling through the incident scene.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper John Hallenbeck, at around 8:30pm a white 1999 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driven by Charles R. Williams of Logansport was westbound on U.S. Highway 84. As Williams traveled in front of Brookshire Brothers and Joaquin Quick Stop Joseph Edward Olenik, 65, of Joaquin was crossing the street in front of the Toyota and Williams was unable to prevent striking Olenik with the front of the vehicle.
ACE EMS arrived on scene; however, Olenik had suffered fatal injuries and Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, was dispatched to the scene where she pronounced him dead.
The roadway was opened back up just after 10:30pm.
Trooper Hallenbeck was assisted with the investigation by Trooper Justin Sikes.
Services for Joseph Olenik are under the direction of Mangum Funeral Home.
See obituary here: Joseph Olenik
