December 3, 2015 - A two-vehicle crash blocked both eastbound lanes of traffic on State Highway 7 West at the intersection of FM 711 on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 1:50pm. The Center Fire Department was dispatched to the scene to assist with traffic control.
According to a Texas Department of Public Safety crash report, a white 2010 Dodge pickup driven by Elton Hamilton, 64 of Lufkin, was stopped at the stop sign on FM 711 at the intersection of State Highway 7 West and then pulled onto SH 7 pulling a gooseneck trailer. Before the truck and trailer could clear the eastbound lanes of traffic a white 2015 Toyota Highlander traveling east topped the hill at the intersection and struck the trailer which was in its pathway. The Toyota was driven by Jordan Belrose, 26 of Center.
The front and left front quarter panel of the Toyota struck the middle of the trailer sliding partially under the rear tires of the trailer. The trailer came up to the front windshield of the vehicle. Both vehicles were blocking the eastbound lanes of traffic. The Toyota received major damage. The tow ball broke on the pickup and the neck of the trailer came loose damaging the tailgate. The trailer received damage on its left side.
ACE EMS provided medical care on scene; however, neither of the drivers required transport from the scene. Belrose was transported by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for medical evaluation as a precaution.
Hughes Wrecker Service lifted and pulled the trailer off of the top of the Toyota and suspended it until volunteer fireman Waylon Griffin could back his pickup up and hook onto it. Griffin then pulled the trailer to a nearby parking lot as Hughes Wrecker hooked up to the Toyota to clear the roadway.
Hamilton was cited for failure to yield right of way. The crash was investigated by State Trooper Ricardo Segura.
