| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 5468 | 2009-02-13 | Troop F | Loaded Cattle Trailer Overturned in Lincoln Parish |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent News Release February 13, 2009 3:40 pm Loaded Cattle Trailer Overturned in Lincoln Parish Update: Both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-20 have been re-opened. The westbound lanes were reopened at 3:21 pm. A semi tractor-trailer, laden with cattle, overturned in Lincoln Parish, freed a number of animals and caused multiple crashes on I-20, west of Ruston. Shortly after 1:00 am on Friday, February 13, 2009, a semi tractor-trailer laden with approximately 100 head of cattle overturned in the westbound lanes of I-20, at milepost 78. The 2005 Peterbilt, operated by 29 year old Larry Mathews of Dunnellon, Florida, swerved to avoid a slower-moving vehicle when Mathews lost control. When the tractor-trailer overturned, a number of cattle were released from the trailer. Some of those were struck by other vehicles while others remain unaccounted for. Ruston veterinarian, Dr. Patrick Sexton, volunteered to humanly euthanize the severely-injured cattle at the scene. Three other westbound vehicles, traveling behind Mathews’ tractor-trailer, struck cattle which remained in the roadway: 1) 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer, operated by 56 year old Judith Hockderffer of Lucedale, MS (seatbelt used, no injury), 2) 2000 Chevrolet Express (van), operated by 54 year old John W. Mitchell of Mobile, AL (seatbelt used, minor injury- transported to Lincoln General Hospital), 3) 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt operated by twenty-two year old Jeffery C. Parker of Fort Stewart, GA (seat belt used, no injury). Three tractor-trailers, which were eastbound, were also involved a related crash. A 2007 International tractor-trailer, operated by 63 year old Herman L. Poovey of Kemp, TX, struck the rear of 2006 Freightliner, operated by 64 year old Carl D. Bolden of Forest, LA, which had slowed because of reports of loose cattle on the interstate. The impact caused Bolden’s truck to strike the rear of a 1997 Peterbilt, operated by 54 year old William L. Duncan of Arcadia, FL. Poovey was wearing a seatbelt and was transported to LSU-Shreveport with moderate injuries. Bolden and Duncan also wore seatbelts, but reported no injuries. Larry Mathews, the restrained driver of the overturned cattle truck, was cited for Careless Operation. He claimed a minor injury but refused medical aid at the scene. Both the I-20 eastbound and westbound lanes have been closed due to the crashes, with traffic detoured onto LA Hwy 80. Around 1:00 pm, the eastbound lanes were reopened. However, the westbound lanes remained closed at this time. Louisiana State Police Troopers and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputies remain at the scene to reopen the roadway, as well as to facilitate the flow of traffic along the detour route. Contact Information, | |||
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