NEWS

JANUARY 2010                             

WEST DROWNS IN WESTLAKE 1.12.10

A LIBERTY COUNTY MAN WAS KILLED FRIDAY NIGHT IN AN APPARENT DROWNING. FAMILY MEMBERS SAID JAMES WEST-30 WAS WORKING TROT LINES IN A SMALL LAKE NEAR THE TRINITY RIVER IN THE WESTLAKE SUBDIVISION. THAT IS SOUTH OF DAYTON. SATURDAY MORNING FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOUND THE MISSING MANS FLAT BOTTOM BOAT CAPSIZED IN THAT LAKE. . THAT’S THE FIRST TIME THE LB8ERTY COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT KNEW OF THE MAN’S DISAPPEARANCE. ACCORDING TO SHERIFF’S CAPTAIN STEVE GREEN S. O. SGT. BUBBA PEARSON WAS IN CHARGE OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT ASKED FOR HELP FROM THE WESTLAKE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM. HOWEVER, ONLY MINUTES AFTER THEY ARRIVED THE SEARCH WAS CALLED OFF. THE BODY OF JAMES WEST – AGE 30, WAS FOUND UNDERWATER ONLY A YARD OR TWO FROM HIS OVERTURNED BOAT. .JP #1 BOBBY RADER SAID JAMES WEST WAS WEARING INSULATED CLOTHING, HAD ONE FISH HOOK STUCK IN HIS HAND, AND ANOTHER IN HIS BOOT. THOSE CONDITIONS AND FRIDAY’S EXTREME COLD DID NOT GIVE THE VICTIM MUCH CHANCE AFTER FALLING IN THE LAKE. JUDGE BOBBY RADER ORDERED AN AUTOPSY.