By Staff
IMPACT Lt. Ralph Smith of the Mississippi Highway Patrol surveys the damage in a four-car pile-up on Interstate 20/59 Wednesday that sent two motorists to local hospitals. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
May 23, 2002
Motorists escaped serious injury Wednesday when an 18-wheeler collided with two other tractor trailers and a van stuck in a traffic jam on Interstate 20/59.
Two drivers were taken to local hospitals, including the unidentified female driver of a Dodge caravan that was sandwiched between two 18-wheelers and crushed in the pile-up.
The accident happened about 2:30 p.m. in the westbound lane of I-20/59 just before the interstate splits west of Meridian.
Lt. Ralph Smith of the Mississippi Highway Patrol said the two motorists sent to the hospital appeared to have "non-serious" injuries.
Traffic had been backed up for much of the day, as APAC employees worked in the right lane of the interstate, forcing all vehicles into the left lane. The accident intensified the problem.