DRIVER STRIKES 2 VEHICLES, TAKES OUT UTILITY POLE, ARRESTED FOR DWI, PROVIDENCE TEXAS, 04/28/25...

Driver Strikes 2 Vehicles, Takes Out Utility Pole, Arrested for DWI, PROVIDENCE, April 28, 2025 - At approximately 2:11 pm on April 28, 2025 the driver of a gray 2021 Ford F-250 was south-bound on US-146 when he struck the back of a south-bound black 2018 Jeep Renegade driven by Michael Edwin Purdue, 46, of Livingston. As it turns out, Purdue's wife was driving in Livingston when her pickup was struck from behind by the black Ford (busted her tail light). The driver of the Ford, Jerry Cowen, 55, of Livingston, opted to keep driving and not stop. Purdue's wife called her husband (Michael Purdue) and told him what was going on. Michael Purdue was already on 146 and located Cowen and was trying to get Cowen to stop when Cowen struck Purdue from behind. Cowen left the pavement to the right and struck a utility pole (snapping the utility pole in half). Allegiance Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene, along with the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and Troopers Terrence Dickens, Damon Zarate, Simon Mijares, and Corporal Ramey Bass (all with The Texas Highway Patrol). Additionally, Officer CJ Knighton with the Livingston Police Department was dispatched regarding Cowen's incident in the Livingston City Limits. Fortunately there were no injuries. Trooper Dickens initiated a field sobriety test on Cowen and placed him under arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Cowen is likely facing a list of other charges. Traffic on 146 was not blocked during investigation and cleanup. Cowen's vehicle was recovered by Smith Towing out of Livingston, while Purdue's vehicle was recovered by Pop's Wrecker Service (also out of Livingston). Cowen was booked into Polk County Jail.

Special thank you: Ken with Ken's Towing