By Staff
ESCAPING DANGER – Meridian firefighters Anthony Clayton, left, and Dewayne Evans, inspect damage to a Toyota 4-Runner involved Tuesday in an accident at the intersection of 19th Street and 29th Avenue. Photo by Fredie Carmichael / The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
May 15, 2002
Piles of shattered glass covered a residential intersection in Meridian on Tuesday where a sports utility vehicle flipped over and slid more than 30 feet on its hood.
The two women inside were not seriously injured in the two-car accident, which occurred about 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of 19th Street and 29th Avenue, according to police.
Alice Hunter and Twannia Carter, both employees of the Meridian Public School District, were traveling south on 29th Avenue when their silver Toyota 4-Runner was involved in a collision with a white Ford pick-up truck headed east on 19th Street.
The SUV flipped over on its hood and slid through the intersection.
Both Hunter and Carter were transported to Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center and treated for what Meridian police officials said appeared to be minor injuries.
Wilbur Kiser, 77, of Union, was identified as the driver of the white truck. He said he and his wife, Dorothy, a passenger in the truck, were not hurt.
Neighborhood residents saw the accident and tried to help the trapped victims.
Sumerall and another neighbor used a pocket knife to cut Hunter and Carter free of the seat belts, but could not get them out of the SUV.
Doris Ivory, who lives across the street, heard the crash and called 911.
Two units with the Meridian Fire Department, Engine 6 and Rescue 1, arrived within minutes and were able to extricate both victims.
Tucker said both victims were wearing their seat belts and "that could have saved their lives."