Rear-end collision sends vehicle flipping

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Emergency crews remove Robert A. Woods from the wreckage of his vehicle following a two-car crash on Spencer Highway Friday. Woods’ vehicle overturned and hit a tree after running into the rear of a vehicle driven by James D. Yates. (Duane Sherrill photo)

Three people were injured Friday morning in a crash on Spencer Highway, which saw one of the vehicles overturn and slam into a tree in the front yard of a residence.

Injured was Robert A. Woods, 69, of McMinnville, whose car overturned during the accident. Also slightly injured were the occupants of the other vehicle, James D. Yates, 20, and William R. Yates, 16, both of Spencer.

According to Highway Patrolman Gary Myers, the accident happened around 11 a.m. Friday on Spencer Highway (Highway 30) as a 1998 Dakota driven by Yates was slowing to turn into a private drive off the highway. While making his turn, Yates was overtaken from behind by a 1993 Cadillac driven by Woods, which was also traveling east on Highway 30.

The Woods vehicle then slammed into the rear of Yates, sending the Yates vehicle hurling across the front yard of a residence, coming to rest in a fence line several yards away. The yard was the same residence where Yates was planning to turn.

Meanwhile, the Woods vehicle struck an embankment and became airborne, rolling through the same front yard and striking a tree. The Cadillac came to rest partially on its side against a tree.

Woods suffered head and neck injuries, but the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. He was transported to River Park Hospital by the Warren County Emergency Ambulance Service. James and William Yates went for treatment by private vehicle, suffering non-critical injuries.

According to Myers, both people in the Yates vehicle were wearing seatbelts, lessening the severity of their injuries. Myers noted Woods was not wearing a seatbelt and his injuries would have likely been lessened had he been restrained.

Woods told troopers he simply overtook the vehicle as it was turning and was unable to avoid the collision. Speed is being blamed as a factor.