Two accidents back up traffic on interstate

By Staff
DIZZY SPELL Two unrelated traffic accidents occurred two-tenths of a mile apart Friday afternoon on Interstate 20 east of Meridian. A Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman said the driver of this Nissan Altima became dizzy and her car struck a Suburban. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
June 30, 2001
Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesmen say construction and a driver's dizzy spell may have contributed to two accidents late Friday afternoon involving four cars near the 158-mile marker on Interstate 20/59.
Traffic was backed up for miles in the eastbound lanes as two MHP sergeants worked the accidents two-tenths of a mile apart. Both accidents occurred about 5:20 p.m.
First accident
Sgt. Herman Bouldin said the first accident occurred when Sharon S. Smith, driving a Nissan Altima, suffered a dizzy spell. He said her car rear-ended a Suburban driven by Melba J. Edwards. Both women are from Toomsuba.
Both women appeared uninjured. Bouldin said both wore seat belts.
Second accident
The Toyota veered left into the median, and the van left the road to the right, into the emergency lane area and out of the line of traffic, he said.
The unidentified white male in the Toyota was transported to a local hospital. His name was unavailable.
Myron Boydstun, moving his family from Texas back to their former hometown of Huntsville, Ala., was driving a yellow passenger van in front of his wife's maroon one. Three of their children were riding with him and the other four were in the van with their mother when the accident occurred.
He said he saw his wife's van hit the Toyota and then they "split down the middle" the Toyota going one way and his wife's van the other.
His wife and children are fine, Boydstun said.
Moss said he worked accidents in that area on two consecutive days. On Thursday, an 18-wheeler rear-ended another not far from the site of Friday's accident, he said. After working that accident, Moss was on his way back to Meridian when he saw a Chevrolet in an accident 2 miles from the first accident. Both were in the eastbound lane. Nobody was injured in the earlier accidents.
Moss said he urges drivers to buckle up and pay close attention, especially in areas of the highway under construction.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x