Two wrecks snarl I-20 Thursday

Local News

October 2, 2009

Anonymous The Weatherford Democrat Fri Oct 02, 2009, 09:23 AM CDT

Crystal Brown

cbrown@weatherforddemocrat.com

Two major semi-truck accidents Thursday shut down portions of Interstate-20 for hours and sent numerous drivers and passengers to area hospitals.

Around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, a semi-truck traveling eastbound near the 408 exit of I-20 veered out the eastbound lanes and crossed through the cables into westbound traffic, according to Cpl. Wendy Field of the Weatherford Police Department.

“When the vehicle veered out of its lanes, it caused another vehicle that was right beside it to do the same,” Field said. “Once the semi-truck and SUV entered the westbound lanes of traffic, five other vehicles collided into them.”

Ten people were transported to area hospitals including one to Cook Children’s Hospital, four to Harris – Downtown, two to John Peter Smith and three to Weatherford Regional Medical Center.

As of Thursday evening, the victims have all been reported to be in stable condition.

The Weatherford Police Department was assisted by Weatherford Fire Department, Hudson Oaks Police Department, Willow Park Police Department, Willow Park Fire Department, Parker County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department.

Another accident happened in the early morning hours Thursday, when a missed entrance to the I-20 on-ramp led to a three-vehicle accident, shutting down the highway for more than six hours and leaving one person in critical condition.

Lauren Vitale, 18, of Fort Worth, was driving west-bound on the north frontage road of I-20 at the Brock exit at approximately 1:12 a.m. when she missed the on ramp, went up the side of the road in the grass and out in front of a semi truck traveling on the Interstate, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Gary Rozzell said.

Rozzell said the truck driver, Joshua Pottker, 31, of Fort Worth, tried to avoid hitting Vitale, but the left rear of her car struck the front right steering tire of the large truck. Rozzell said the impact sent Pottker’s truck, a 2002 Kenworth, across the median and into oncoming traffic.

There is no cable strung between oncoming lanes on the Interstate in this portion of Parker County to prevent traffic from crossing the median.

As Pottker’s truck crossed into oncoming traffic, he came into contact with a 2005 Freightliner driven by Pascal Rincones Cisneros Jr., 54, of Lorenzo.

“Pottker’s vehicle fell over on the side and came to rest at that point,” Rozzell said. “Cisneros continued down the highway for a distance and came to a rest with major damage to the truck tractor.

Cisneros was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth and is currently listed in critical condition. Rozzell said troopers who worked the scene, Gene Hansen and Ty McLaughlin, originally reported him as deceased, but the family has elected not to take him off life support as of Thursday afternoon.

Pottker was transported to Weatherford Regional Medical Center and later released.

Rozzell said the accident is under investigation and Vitale does not face any charges at this time. She was not reported to have any injuries.

Text Only

Local News

10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Flooding at issue in other subdivisions
While much attention has been given to the Briarwood subdivision, located off of Santa Fe Drive in Weatherford, during the last two months storm water drainage issues have occurred in additional subdivisions and concerned homeowners. This has been an ongoing issue for many areas throughout the city.

February 8, 2012 2 Photos
Child paddled, abuse at school not substantiated
February 8, 2012
Wildlife volunteers needed
Like any other mother, Donna Robinson has pictures of her “babies” on her phone.
“Let me show you,” she said eagerly. “I’ve got lots of pictures of the kids.”
She scrolls through the photos — there’s one of a squirrel with milk on its mouth after a feeding. Oh, there’s a cute one of two tiny possums looking over her shoulder as she feeds another “baby.” Aww, there’s the group of four raccoons named after the Beatles: Ringo, Paul, George and John.
Ok. She’s not your “ordinary” mom.

February 6, 2012 2 Photos
Water woes on floodplain in Weatherford
When Wendy Walling purchased her home in the Briarwood subdivision off of Sante Fe Drive in the mid-1990s, her son could easily jump from one side of the small creek behind the home to the other.
“My son was in fourth grade (when we moved in) and he could actually jump across the creek,” Walling said.
By 2007, however, Walling said the width of the creek had begun to expand.
“(The creek) can hold water now and before it never could,” Walling said.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
DPS: Motorcyclists didn't see slowing truck
February 6, 2012
Kidnapper gets 99 years
February 6, 2012
Judge tosses plea in horse deaths
February 6, 2012
Weatherford junior to perform with All-State choir
When she was a little girl, Cassandra Kirby used to climb up next to her grandmother’s big fireplace and sing songs during the holiday get-togethers.
While she has a reserved and polite personality, recalling these memories makes a big smile break out onto Kirby’s face.
Get her talking about songs and suddenly she’s effusive and happy.

February 5, 2012 1 Photo
Rock solid gymnasts
February 3, 2012 2 Photos
More Local News Headlines

The Komen Foundation recently cut ties (before announcing they would reinstate them) with Planned Parenthood and stopped funding breast cancer screenings — was that a good thing?

Local News

Search Results

Two wrecks snarl I-20 Thursday

The Komen Foundation recently cut ties (before announcing they would reinstate them) with Planned Parenthood and stopped funding breast cancer screenings — was that a good thing?

Site Map

Contact Weatherford Democrat