One driver was possibly injured and had to be extricated by the Oak Ridge Fire Department after a two-car crash on Oak Ridge Turnpike near Illinois Avenue on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
A driver was possibly injured when his sport utility vehicle rolled after colliding with another SUV on Oak Ridge Turnpike on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
The crash was reported in the westbound lanes of Oak Ridge Turnpike just east of Illinois Avenue at about 1:38 p.m. Thursday.
Authorities said Charles W. Rhoads, 70, Oak Ridge, was driving west in the left lane in a 2002 GMC Envoy SUV when he tried to move over to the right lane, hitting the left side of a 2005 Ford Escape SUV driven by Carla F. Wheeler, 48, of Kingston.
The Envoy driven by Rhoads turned over onto its driver side after the collision, a crash report said. Rhoads was trapped, and the Oak Ridge Fire Department used power tools and a crew to remove him before he was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
There were two children in Wheeler’s Escape, one 15 years old and the other 12, but no injuries were reported, and the three declined medical treatment, the report said.
Shoulder and lap belts were used, authorities said.
The crash was investigated by Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Sherrill Selby.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Mark Caldwell says
I really am looking forward to us having driverless cars. The sooner the better.
johnhuotari says
It’s my understanding that some of the newer vehicles now on the market have features designed to help prevent crashes, including an auto-braking feature if your vehicle gets too close to a vehicle in front of you.