News Writing

2008 TPA Better Newspaper Contest

First Place D10

East Bernard Express

Good Samaritans

Hlavinka employees rescue motorists from burning trucks

By BENJAMIN C. SHARP

James Idlebird had just parked his 18-wheeler at Hlavinka Equipment Co. and walked inside the building when he heard what sounded like an explosion.

Idlebird turned back around and sprinted outside, his eyes locking on the stretch of U.S. 90A that runs in front of the East Bernard business.

He was shocked by what he saw. A pickup lay crushed on the highway, and off on the shoulder, near the railroad tracks, was a motionless semi-truck. Both were on fire.

"First thing you see is flames and smoke everywhere," he said.

Reacting instinctively, Idlebird grabbed a fire extinguisher from the cab of his 18-wheeler and sprinted towards the carnage.

About half a dozen other Hlavinka employees followed suit, running towards the highway on the afternoon of Oct. 10. Idlebird remembers seeing co-workers Craig Fisher, Seth LaBore, James Joplin and Kenneth Hlavinka.

While some of the group ran towards the demolished pickup, Idlebird headed towards the semi-truck.

The driver, obviously dazed, was able to open the truck's door and was beginning to exit. Idlebird put his arm around the driver and carried, him toward the nearby railroad tracks.

"I didn't think he could walk," Idlebird said.

After helping the semi-truck driver to safety, Idlebird headed to the pickup.

The driver was still trapped inside — and part of the vehicle was on fire.

Idlebird sprayed down the inside of the pickup with his extinguisher.

The driver was finally freed and taken to safety. Idlebird said the man appeared to be in bad shape.

The pickup driver — identified as James Gaspard, 44, of Pasadena — was later taken by Life Flight helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.

Law enforcement officials said Gaspard suffered burns on his arm and leg and was listed in serious condition.

Department of Public Safety Sgt. Danny Terronez said Gaspard was traveling west in a 2006 Toyota pickup on U.S. 90-A around 12:25 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, and attempted to pass another vehicle.

At that same time, an 18-wheeler driven by Obidio Figueroa, 46, of El Campo, was approaching from the east.

As Gaspard made his pass, he "went into the path of the semi," Terronez said.

Figueroa attempted to evade the pickup, DPS said, veering toward the left, back towards the center stripe. The vehicles struck right headlight to right headlight.

"If the truck-tractor had moved to the right, it would have been a head on (accident)," Terronez said.

The collision took place directly in front of Hlavinka Equipment Co., about two-tenths of a mile south of CR 289 and about one and a half miles west of East Bernard.

The semi-truck crushed the pickup, literally running over it. The impact tore loose the 18wheeler's fuel tank.

“That's what caused the fire,” Terronez said.

East Bernard Emergency Medical Services and East Bernard Volunteer Fire Department were called to the scene.

Fire Captain Doug Hancock said it was a challenging call, with the department's volunteers split between fighting the fire and freeing Gaspard from the crushed pickup.

The flames spread to dry brush located between the roadway and the railroad tracks, causing a small grass fire.

Cause for the accident is under investigation. DPS troopers have not yet been able to speak with Gaspard, who is still in critical condition.

"We suspect alcohol might be a factor on the pickup driver," Terronez said.

Idlebird, the Good Samaritan from Hlavinka, said it was a shocking scene to behold.

"This was the first time I ever eye-witnessed an accident," he said.

When asked if he was scared to run towards the burning semi-truck, he said he really didn't have time to think about it.

He said only one thing was going through his head.

"I kept thinking if that man has a family, if he has kids, if he has a wife to get back to."