Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Simpson said volunteer firemen Michael Newhouse, Jackie Bell, Chris Wilson, and Chuck Robertson were lucky to be alive after 82-year-old J.W. Noble of Claude sped past over half a mile of vehicles parked in the inside southbound lane of US 287 and narrowly missed the men.
Simpson said Newhouse had to run out of the outside lane to avoid being struck by Noble, who then ran through traffic cones set up to block the lane, and continued on a collision course with Bell, Wilson, and Robertson, who were standing behind a Clarendon fire truck. The three men also ran out of the way as Noble struck the fire truck, which was then knocked into a Nissan SUV driving by Michael Trevino of Weatherford, Texas.
“I’m so thankful that we didn’t lose four of our firemen Saturday morning,” Simpson said.
No one was injured in the accident, and Noble was charged with Failing to Control Speed.
About 30 minutes earlier, Marcus Washington, age 45, of Sulpher Springs was traveling southbound on US 287 as the sun was causing dangerous sight restrictions. Simpson said Washington was going an unsafe speed for the conditions when he struck the rear of an International truck driven by Gene Hommel of Clarendon.
Emergency personnel had to employ the Jaws of Life and a wrecking truck to free Washington from his vehicle. He was airlifted to Northwest Texas Hospital and was treated and released that evening.
Washington was also charged with Failing to Control Speed.
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