Police: Seat belt helps driver avoid serious injuries in interstate crash

April 24, 2003|by CANDICE BOSELY

BUNKER HILL, W.Va. - A Williamsport woman who was driving a car that flipped into the median of Interstate 81 Wednesday afternoon probably would have suffered more serious injuries had she not been wearing a seat belt, police said.

Barbara Jordan, 40, was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier southbound on the interstate near the Virginia state line when she started to pass a tractor-trailer, said State Police Cpl. J.L. Folk, the investigating officer.

As Jordan was passing the flatbed truck, her car drifted into the side of the truck and momentarily became lodged in the space between the cab and trailer, Folk said.

Jordan's car then became disentangled and swerved into the grassy median, flipping onto its top. Jordan was wearing her seat belt, and airbags in the car deployed, Folk said.

Jordan, who suffered lacerations and was shaken up after the accident, was taken by ambulance to Winchester (Va.) Medical Center.

Because Jordan does not remember what happened, Folk said he does not know why the woman's car drifted into the side of the truck. He said heavy wind gusts may have been to blame.

Jordan was conscious and able to speak to police at the hospital. She was cited for improper passing, according to Folk.

About an hour after the 1:45 p.m. accident, several police cars still were on the scene with the car, which had been flipped onto its wheels by a tow truck driver.

|

|

|