On Friday, July 18, at approximately 10:43 a.m., Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a single-vehicle crash with entrapment on U.S. Highway 190 at the Dam B bridge in Jasper County.
Multiple volunteer fire departments, including Burkeville Fire Department, Tri-Community VFD, Beech Grove VFD, and Jasper Fire Department, were in the area participating in a BBQ fundraiser and responded to the scene. Jasper County Sheriff’s Office deputies also assisted.
Responders found a single vehicle on the bridge with one female driver and a small poodle inside. Retired Woodville Fire Chief Tommy Shane was among the first to arrive and provided immediate aid before EMS personnel arrived.
The driver was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries and transported by Allegiance Mobile Health EMS to a hospital in Beaumont.
Shortly after the crash, the victim’s mother arrived and attempted to secure the woman’s poodle in the vehicle. The dog escaped and leapt from the top of the bridge into the lake below. Witnesses said the dog began to struggle in the water.
Burkeville Fire Chief Charles Duckworth and Tri-Community firefighter Brent Scoggins jumped into the lake in an attempt to rescue the animal. A nearby fisherman, Jack Thompson of Woodville, saw what was happening and used a scoop net to catch the dog before it could drown. The poodle was reportedly wet, shaking, and frightened but otherwise appeared to be unharmed.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash. Jasper Xxon Towing and Recovery removed the vehicle from the bridge.
