Accident causes traffic jam on 321
No, it was not normal evening traffic that caused the backlog of cars and trucks
trying to make their way into and through Cleveland last Friday evening - it
was an 18-wheeler full of hay that rolled over on Hwy. 321, 1 mile past the Citgo
station in Tarkington.
Only a combination of luck and driving skill prevented injuries to the driver
of the semi and to the teenaged driver of the pickup truck involved in the accident.
The young man, a Cleveland resident, tried to make a U-turn in front of the oncoming
semi. The semi driver, Steven Draper of Vernon, Texas, swerved to the left trying
to avoid a collision, but could not avoid hitting the pickup. The impact caused
the fully-loaded semi to roll over and slide some distance on the pavement before
stopping.
Both lanes were closed to traffic for several hours while the trailer was removed
from the roadway.
The young driver was cited at the scene for failure to yield right-of-way.
Body tentatively identified as Bell
Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur said that the body found last
Thursday in the Sam Houston National Forest has been tentatively
identified as that of Renee
Bell, the 27-year-old Cleveland woman who has been missing for two weeks. Arthur
stated that the cause of death was a blunt force trauma to the head, with the
body being burned after death in an attempt to prevent discovery and identification.
The remains were found Thursday evening by a Dayton police officer who had
volunteered to join the search for Bell, who was presumed dead. After processing
the scene,
the body was shipped to the Jefferson County morgue, along with Bell's dental
records, for autopsy and identification.
Michael Brantley, 34 of Cleveland, was arrested last week at the Pebble Creek
residence where officials believe Bell was killed. Brantley, while arrested
for parole violations, is considered the prime suspect in her disappearance
and wrongful
death.
Funeral Services
--Emily Stevens; services at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Pace-Stancil/Probst
Chapel, with interment following at Farley Chapel Cemetery in Shepherd. Visitation
hours are from 4-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25 at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home.
--Arrangements through Pace-Stancil Funeral Home are pending for Robert Postal,
Ida Wright, and William Hansbro.
Police Report
Last Friday, police arrested Radene Tucker Latz for public intoxication,
and possession of dangerous drugs; Ivan Rodriguez Sabino on a Polk County
warrant
for burglary; Tammy Renee Holt for theft; Johnny Wayne Bell for no insurance
and expired license; and Peter Johnathan Elliott for failure to control
speed and a warrant for theft. On Saturday, the Cleveland PD arrested
Dana Rivera
on an outstanding warrant and Victor Espinoza Medina for public intoxication.
On Tap at the Texan
Showing through Thursday at 7 p.m. is the comedy and science fiction/fantasy "Scary
Movie 3", rated PG-13. Admission is $2 for children aged 3-11, and $4 for
those aged 12 and older.
There will be no Update for Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, as the Cleveland
Advocate staff will be celebrating the holiday with our families. The
Update will be
available again on Friday morning. May you and yours have a wonderful
Thanksgiving!
