Crash Closes Highway

mrandolphadvance@gmail.com

A Monday afternoon crash left a traffic light on the ground in Vidalia, causing U.S. Highway 280 West to be closed for several hours.

The collision occurred at around 3 p.m. on Monday, February 9. According to eyewitnesses, an individual driving a Chevrolet Traverse was traveling at a high rate of speed along U.S. Highway 280 West and approaching the road’s intersection with Jackson Street when it rear ended a Dodge Durango, causing the vehicle to crash into the traffic light pole, which fell due to impact. The Traverse then continued from page

crossed the curb in front of several shops along the street and hit a parked Cadillac SUV, causing the car to move forward until it struck the storefront of Clarke Appliance.

The drivers and passengers of the Traverse and Durango received medical attention for minor injuries; the parked car was empty at the time of the collision.

Officials believe the driver of the Traverse lost consciousness, causing her to hit the gas pedal and crash.

Vidalia City Manager Josh Beck commented on the collision during the City Council meeting on Monday, February 9. “Keep the family of the victims in that accident in your prayers tonight,” he emphasized. “That was a significant accident. The fire chief, the police chief, and Department of Transportation field representatives have never seen a light pole struck in that manner. So please keep that family in your prayers.”

The highway was closed from Durden Street to Church Street for several hours, as Georgia Department of Transportation field representatives worked to clear damage from the scene.

The intersection has now been temporarily converted into a two-way stop through the use of stop signs until the Georgia Department of Transportation can install a new traffic light.

DESTRUCTIVE CRASH – The crash along U.S. Highway 280 West was very destructive, as it left three vehicles damaged.

CLARKE APPLIANCE STOREFRONT – The Chevrolet Traverse struck a parked Cadillac SUV, pushing it into the storefront of Clarke Appliance.