Accident injures two drivers
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on December 30, 2009 1:46 PM
BELFAST -- Deputy Daniel Truhan, 47, was heading to an emergency call when his cruiser collided with a pickup truck driven by Susan Pope Watson, 50 early this morning, sending both the deputy and the pickup's driver to the hospital, authorities said.
Highway Patrol First Sgt. Jerry Burton said the deputy had turned on his emergency lights before the crash, around 7:22 a.m. on U.S. 117 North.
"The deputy was traveling to a call with blue lights and emergency equipment operating," Burton said.
At the intersection of U.S. 117 North and Woodview Drive, a pickup truck was attempting to turn onto U.S. 117, the first sergeant said.
"A four-door pickup truck was making a left turn from Woodview to go southbound on U.S. 117 and the deputy struck him in the northbound lane of travel," Burton said.
Initial reports that one of the vehicles caught on fire were false.
However, equipment from the deputy's car caused a small grass fire, the first sergeant said.
"The catalytic converter from the deputy's car burned some grass, but neither car became involved in a fire," the sergeant said.
The drivers of both vehicles were taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Further information, including the drivers' names, would not be available until the investigating troopers returned to the accident scene from the hospital, Burton said.
Both vehicles sustained a significant amount of damage from the crash, but estimates on the amount of damage caused would not be available until later today, authorities said.