By Staff
CLOSE CALL n Police officials examine the wreckage of a Toyota 4-Runner involved in a one-vehicle accident Friday night.Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star.
By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
Dec. 16, 2000
Police said a Hattiesburg man escaped death or serious injury in a one-car accident near the Bonita Wal-Mart Friday night because he was buckled up.
Meridian police said 20-year-old David Hulett was traveling west on Interstate 20 when the Toyota SR5 4-Runner he was driving went out of control for "no apparent reason."
The accident occurred about 6 p.m.
Gordan estimated Hulett's vehicle flipped more than four times before coming to a stop.
When police and rescue workers arrived at the scene of the crash at the 157-mile marker on Interstate 20, they were unable to find Hulett. Witnesses said the man freed himself from the wreckage and went seeking help.
The Cuba, Ala., couple said they saw Hulett pass a car and move back into the right lane with no apparent problem. Seconds later, they said, the 4-Runner was flipping over.
The Delaines said they pulled over. Minutes later, they saw Hulett standing just outside their pick-up. They helped him lie down on the truck's tailgate, where he remained until emergency medical workers arrived.
Gordan said the 4-Runner left skid marks for more than 80 yards along the highway. Several witnesses said one tire was "completely blown apart."
Gordan said Hulett was "completely alert" as he was transported to Rush Foundation Hospital for treatment of "what looked like a fractured wrist, injury to his left arm and multiple bruises and abrasions."
No word was available from hospital officials about his condition at press time.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@themeridianstar.com.