Posted 1:52 am Saturday, March 24, 2012
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Four-Vehicle Crash Highlights Danger Of Dicey Intersection
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
The caution light flashed yellow above the intersection of County Road 140 and Old Jacksonville Highway Friday morning, but the wreckage below reflected what some residents and officials say is a dangerous area that needs to be addressed.
Shortly after 8 a.m., Flint-Gresham, Noonday and Bullard fire departments responded to the area after a motorist called 911 to report a four-vehicle wreck.
At the scene they found a Chevrolet pickup, a Chevrolet HHR, a Pontiac Vibe and a Toyota Camry wrecked.
Firefighters worked for several minutes to free the driver of the HHR from the wreckage of her vehicle, before taking her and the driver of the pickup to local hospitals with various injuries.
A Texas Department of Public Safety dispatcher said late Friday that no one had died.
Trooper Jean Dark said several cars heading north on Old Jacksonville were stopped at the flashing light to turn onto CR 140 when a pickup failed to stop in time and took evasive action into the path of the HHR.
Flint-Gresham Firefighter Adam Dixon said his department has worked multiple accidents at the location over the past few years.
"A lot of it has to do with lack of vision at that spot. It's not uncommon to have accidents there," he said.
Dixon's thoughts were reiterated several times by residents living in the area or who have to travel past the location daily.
One Tyler woman said her brother was in a bad accident at the location in 2011, and both his vehicle and the other motorists' vehicle were totaled.
"They (Texas Department of Transportation) should definitely look at it, and people should be reminded that it is a dangerous area," Dixon said.
TxDOT Tyler District spo-kesman Larry Krantz said there were no immediate plans to improve the roadway in the area.
"The line of sight is adequate when everyone drives the speed limit. The flashing beacon is there to draw attention to it," he said.
Krantz said there were no plans for the area and that his agency would continue to monitor the situation.
