UPDATE--FAIRFIELD, Texas (KWTX) - First responders involved with the October crash have received the highest awards and recognition on behalf of the Freestone County Sheriff’s Office.

This week, Freestone County Sheriff Shipley issued a life saving award to Deputy Justin Campbell and Deputy Chad Hill.

The pair acted with courage and bravery, totally disregarding their own safety for the life of those involved in the accident, according to Sheriff Shipley.

Letters of commendation were also issued to a Fairfield officer and DPS trooper who were quick to respond on the scene, as well.

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High speed crash damages downtown building in Freestone County

Both the driver, and passenger, were hospitalized

Vehicle crashes into downtown building — Vehicle crashes into downtown building(KWTX)

FAIRFIELD, Texas (KWTX) - The Freestone County Sheriff’s Office is asking folks to stay away from Heritage Title & Abstract on South Mount Street after a vehicle jumped the curb and landed inside the building, creating potentially dangerous structural damage.

According to Sheriff Jeremy Shipley, the accident happened just after 2 a.m., when the speeding vehicle blew past deputies near Fair Park, and into town.

News 10 has learned the vehicle entered downtown, and hit a red light at Commerce and Mount, where another vehicle was stopped. That’s when the speeding vehicle ran off the road, jumped the curb in front of the courthouse, and took out a corner light pole.

From there, Shipley says, the vehicle continued straight and jumped another curb in front of Heritage Title where it went through the sidewalk railing, and came to rest inside the building.

According to the Freestone County Sheriff’s Office, the front of the vehicle caught fire, and Deputies were forced to use fire extinguishers as they tried to remove the female passenger from the vehicle.

Shipley says, firefighters arrived on scene and quickly extinguished the rest of the fire, before freeing the driver by cutting the roof off.

Both the male driver and female passenger, were airlifted to hospitals.

DPS is investigating the accident.

Meanwhile, the area has been roped off with caution tape, and barricades have been set up around the building.

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