1 Killed, 6 Seriously Injured in Accident on Highway 59

SAN JACINTO COUNTY, December 9, 2007 - According to DPS Trooper Shelly Lee, at around 10:00 PM on Saturday, a 14 year old child was killed and 6 other people seriously injured when a 2000 Ford Expedition allegedly rammed into an older model GMC Suburban from behind on US Highway 59 northbound just south of Polk County near the Polk, San Jacinto County Line.

The driver of the Expedition, Justin Sutton, age 23 of Trinity, TX, hit the rear of the Suburban when he allegedly did an unsafe lane change.  The Suburban, driven by Eduardo Medellin, age 39 of Lufkin, TX, was with his wife and 4 children, ranging in age from 5 to 14 years old. Medellin lost control and went off the road to the right crashing through a barbed wire fence and rolling several times ejecting 4 of the occupants from the vehicle. 

The Expedition momentarily lost control and went off the highway to the left and into the grass and then pulled back up onto the northbound lane where he came to a stop in the middle of the highway.  Traffic on 59 North was completely diverted to 59 South which was turned into a two lane highway accompanying both the Southbound and Northbound traffic as officers, troopers, and emergency personnel worked the scene. 

According to Trooper Lee, Sutton, age 23 of Trinity, was intoxicated and will face 1 count of intoxication manslaughter, and 5 counts of intoxication assault. 

According to Lee, 4 of the occupants of the Suburban were transported by ambulances to area hospitals, and witnesses say the 5 year old was transported to Herman Hospital via life-flight.  Sutton was also transported by ambulance to an area hospital. 

Volunteer fire department trucks and vehicles were dispatched to the scene from both the Livingston Volunteer Fire Dept. and Shepherd Volunteer Fire Dept.  

Ambulances from Guardian EMS, Lone Star EMS, and Odyssey EMS were also dispatched.  Beth Sewell, San Jacinto County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1, pronounced the 14 year old male dead at the scene.  It is not known if the occupants of either of the vehicles were wearing seat belts.

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