Tractor trailer crashes through guardrail into pond

January 9, at approximately 10:20 a.m., Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers were called to a one-vehicle crash on US Hwy 59, approximately 0.1 mile east of CR 1159, in Cass County.

According to the Department of Public Safety, “The preliminary investigation shows that a 2007 blue Peterbilt truck tractor towing a 2016 white semi-trailer was traveling south on US Hwy 59 when, for an as of yet undetermined reason, the vehicle drove off the west side of the roadway striking a guardrail and going into the ditch before coming to rest in a pond.”

“The driver, 68-year-old Terry Stolba, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was transported by EMS to Christus St. Michael Hospital in Atlanta, with possible injuries. The investigation is still ongoing and there is no other information available at this time,” reported DPS.

Ian Parrish, who was there shortly after the accident, was alerted to something strange because of a large pool of water and debris off of Highway 59. He then stopped to find that the driver was potentially in trouble.

Hearing that someone couldn’t swim, he jumped into action to save the person in the truck.

“I was on my way to Marshall on a prospecting trip,” recalled Parrish.

“A huge plume of water came up over the road around a quarter-mile ahead of me. My first thought was a water main or similar had exploded. I started slowing down, it was in a 70 mph speed zone. There was debris where the guardrail had been hit, and then I saw the truck in the water. “

“Three other people approached the bank with me, I heard more than one of them say they could not swim. All I could think is what if that was me or mine out there drowning. I kicked off my boots, jacket, and emptied my pockets and swam out to the truck,” said Parrish.

“Between the cold and my adrenaline I was unable to hold my breath for long. The door handle was at least three feet underwater, I couldn’t see in the truck at all. I could not open the driver’s side door. I climbed over to the passenger side, where the exhaust stack was bent in front of the door. I then climbed on top of the truck trying to find a way into the sleeper. The driver started yelling, so I knew he was conscious and alive. I was working at the back glass of the sleeper when the top of the driver’s head popped up beside the driver’s door.” Parrish continued.

“I assume, he was able to lower or break his window,” recalled Parrish. “He was struggling to catch a breath and keep his head above water. Luckily, he was wearing overalls, and I was able to stabilize him by one of his straps. When he caught his breath, he said he couldn’t swim and he didn’t think he was hurt. I knew then we couldn’t make it to the near side bank. I was able to drag him on top of the sleeper. He wasn’t able to move much and was shaking so badly from cold and shock I had to keep him from falling off of the truck.”

At the scene, several more people began to stop, including emergency workers. An additional person offered to swim to help but was cautioned to wait till the emergency boat got there.

“Twenty or so minutes later a good deal of first responders had arrived, and another bystander swam out with an emergency blanket. It was still another 10-20 minutes before they were able to bring a flat bottom boat from a nearby home to retrieve the driver. They made a second trip out for the other bystander and me,” said Parrish.

After the accident, Parrish said it took him “a few hours, a cup of coffee, and a change of clothes to settle myself enough to head down the road. This was physically and emotionally draining. I hope this guy makes a full recovery.“

Nikki Whatley, the owner of the pond, reported that the driver worked for “Vernon Transportation Company and he crashed through the guard rail, and landed in our pond. He (the driver) usually carried corn syrup, but his load was empty. “

“The truck was removed from our pond, at approximately 1:30 p.m. Diesel was spilled in the pond and the smell is very strong and it is filming on top of the water. The accident capsized my husband’s flat bottom aluminum boat. We are trying to get answers about whether wildlife and property were or will be affected by the fuel.”

State Patrol, Staff Sergeant, Sara Warren reports “the investigation is still ongoing and there is no other information available at this time.”