By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
ROCKINGHAM — One woman was transported to a local hospital and four others escaped serious injury Wednesday afternoon when a car pulled into oncoming traffic.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
The driver of a Ford Thunderbird was taken by FirstHealth EMS to a nearby hospital for additional evaluation and treatment. His condition was unknown as of 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The incident occurred at about 3:22 p.m. on U.S. Route 1 South in front of the Hardees fast food restaurant. Jerry Koontz was driving a a Cadillac sedan that held his family, including his wife, adult grandson and young great-grandson, were leaving the Hardees parking lot and attempted to turn left to continue traveling on Andrew Jackson Highway.
Koontz said a big rig was stopped northbound on Route 1, waiting to pull into the Hardees parking lot. The Cadillac driver pulled onto Route 1 but was immediately T-boned by a red Ford Thunderbird driven by Rockingham resident Karen McQueen.
“I just didn’t see it,” Koontz said at the scene. “It was blocked by the truck. I guess it was my fault.”
McQueen was loaded by FirstHealth EMS personnel onto a gurney and transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. That driver’s condition was unknown.
Koontz and wife in the Cadillac escaped injury, as did the toddler in the carseat. The couple’s adult grandson, however, had a bandage wrapped around his head and blood about his shirt. He declined to go to the hospital and was able to assist troopers North Carolina Highway Patrol by answering questions.
The Cadillac driver’s wife said the family was from Clemmons. She said they were traveling to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to meet family for a short vacation.
“That’s the worst jarring I’ve ever had in my life,” she said. “A car can be replaced.”
Rescue personnel from Cordova Fire and Rescue responded to the scene, as did law enforcement officers from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Dumas and Son towing, of Rockingham, hauled the Thunderbird from the scene.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
The wife and great-grandson of the driver of a Cadillac sedan assess the damage to their vehicle.
