VEHICLES COLLIDE, ALCOHOL SUSPECTED, ALABAMA COUSHATTA COUNTRY TEXAS, 09/18/21...

Vehicles Collide, Alcohol Suspected, ALABAMA COUSHATTA COUNTRY, September 18, 2021 - At approximately 5:10 pm on September 18, 2021, a two vehicle accident just east of Richardson Road on 190 East Occurred when the driver of a blue Chevy Traverse, crossed the center line of the two lane road and side swiped a tan 2000 Chevy Silverado. The impact caused the Chevy pickup, driven by William Jefferson, 43, of Spring, to leave the pavement to the right and roll. Jefferson's vehicle came to rest upside down at the woodline. The Chevy Traverse, driven by Michael Helegda, 38, of Kountze, also left the pavement (to the left) and slammed head on into a tree. Allegiance Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with the Indian Springs Volunteer Fire Department, a nearby Game Warden, Alabama Coushatta Policemen, and Trooper Nick Hatton with the Texas Highway Patrol. Amazingly, Jefferson wasn't injured. Helegda was injured and was transported by ambulance to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital. Helegda is suspected of being intoxicated. There were several calls to the Polk County Sheriff's Office regarding Helegda's reckless driving. Helegda also reportedly struck another vehicle and kept going. Helegda smelled heavily of alcohol. Helegda was cited for driving with an invalid license and also may be facing the charge of driving while intoxicated. Helegda's vehicle was recovered by Kwik Tow and will be stored in Livingston. Jefferson's vehicle was recovered by Fawbush Wrecker and will be stored in Goodrich.

Special thank you: Ken with Ken's Towing