UPDATED INFORMATION: One Arrested Following Major Accident South of Kirbyville Friday Morning

Original article:

KIRBYVILLE, TX-

At 11:30 Friday morning, Kirbyville Volunteer Fire Department, Kirbyville First Responders, the Department of Public Safety, and the Jasper County Sheriff's Office were called out to a major accident on U.S. Highway 96 South of Kirbyville at Call Junction.

Upon arrival, a red vehicle was located in the woods on the Northbound side of the Hwy, and a white Compassion Healthcare vehicle was sitting in the car-park on Hwy 1004 East. Both drivers were being checked out by EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to a witness on the scene, the accident occurred on the Southbound side, but the red vehicle was said to have shot across Hwy 96, down into the ditch and into the woods on the Northbound side. He added that the driver of that car was able to exit and was receiving treatment at that time from KVFD EMT, Larry Gentry.

The mother of the driver of the white car said that her daughter was injured, but would be okay. That driver was being treated by Allegiance Mobile Health.

Updated information:

A Louisiana man was arrested following a two-vehicle wreck on U.S. Highway 96, near Call Junction on Friday.

According to the Department of Public Safety investigation, the crash happened at 11:25 a.m. The unidentified driver of a white Kia was traveling south on Hwy 96, followed by a red Nissan car driven by 33-year-old Thomas Rodriguez of Louisiana.

It was quickly discovered that Rodriguez was intoxicated. He failed to control his speed and struck the rear of the Kia. The Nissan crossed the median, and the Northbound lanes, entered the east ditch and came to a stop inside the woods.

First Responders witnessed the driver of the Nissan throw a bottle of vodka into the tree line, which was later located.

Rodriguez was checked out at the scene before being arrested. He charged with Driving While Intoxicated, a misdemeanor and Tampering with Evidence, which is a felony offense, and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

The driver of the Kia was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.