Two remain hospitalized after collision

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Rescue personnel examine the van driven by Jerardo Vazquez after freeing him from the wreckage Thursday afternoon. (Duane Sherrill photo)

Two local residents remain in critical condition at Vanderbilt Hospital following a head-on crash on South Chancery Street Thursday afternoon.

The victims, Sharon Elaine Gutierrez, 49, and Jerardo Vazquez, 23, were both airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter from the park near Frank G. Clement Bridge shortly following the crash.

According to police reports, the accident happened around 4 p.m. on South Chancery Street in front of Newby Motors on the city side of the bridge. At this point, police say the evidence suggests Gutierrez’s 1997 Ford van crossed the center-line for some unknown reason and slammed into a oncoming 1996 Mercury van driven by Vazquez. Police note they have found no eyewitnesses to the wreck, although several business people in the area reported hearing the impact.

An investigation of the scene revealed Vazquez had apparently stopped or was coming to a stop and had squeezed to his side of the shoulder as far as he could go when the oncoming vehicle hit him. The impact drove his van back, into the concrete bridge walls.

Both drivers, who were the sole passengers in their vehicles, had to be cut from the wreckage by paramedics using the Jaws of Life. Police say neither victim has been able to talk due to the seriousness of their injuries which has delayed finalizing the official report.