Slick Roads Lead to Numerous Accidents on Lufkin Loop

Steady rain throughout the midday in East Texas lead to 5 separate wrecks in a 2 hour period on East Loop 287 in Lufkin. 

According to Lufkin Police, the first call came in at 11:36 a.m. for a single vehicle accident at the loop at Moffett Road.  Jose Valdes Hernandez, 52, of West Palm Beach, Florida was traveling northbound when he said a vehicle pulled out in front of him, causing him to have to stop suddenly. His vehicle then jackknifed off the highway. The incident damaged a street sign. The driver reported no injuries at the time of the crash. He was cited for unsafe speed.

At 12:41 p.m., Lufkin police responded to multiple vehicles in a wreck at Loop 287 at Atkinson Drive northbound.  One vehicle was reported to be on fire.

At 12:57 p.m., an 18-wheeler driven by Rafael Torres, 45, of Gualala, CA and a Toyota Camry driven by Maritza Cadena-Caporali, 19, of Center were traveling northbound on Loop 287 near the 1300 block (near Paul Avenue) when the 18-wheeler had to slow down due to traffic being backed up. The Camry then hit the back left side of the 18-wheeler. The driver of the Camry was cited for failure to control speed.  No injuries were reported at the scene.

At 1:17 p.m., an accident was reported at the Loop and Atkinson Drive southbound. The accident was minor but it added to the confusion and traffic issues.

At 1:27 p.m., Lufkin Police responded to an accident at the 1800 block of East Denman Avenue at Loop 287 (on Denman under the overpass).  That accident involved an SUV and pick up truck. (pictured above) One person in the SUV required transport to a local hospital.  The pick up driver refused hospital transport.

Overall, there were other injuries today and hospital transports, however, none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.